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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Nol 


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n 


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sliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiql^e8 


I  the  best 

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L'Institut  a  microfilmd  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qj'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
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Bd/ 
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je  or  black)/ 
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atio  checked  below/ 
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18X 


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1 

2 

4 

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>duced  thank* 


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L'axamplaira  filmi  fut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
g6nAro8it6  da: 

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nd  legibility 
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originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenyant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darnidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


crofiche 
ling  "CON- 


'END"). 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  !e 
cas:  la  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


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Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  6tre 
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reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd.  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  8up6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
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1 

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I[P 


rtk 


.,v.<<(,t-\^-:"^ff^ 


-'JUg.'J'' 


[Price] 


ii 


Til  Mfif  11 


fA-lIB," 


ISAAC  BROOME 


PATERSON,  N.  J.: 
J.  A.  CRAIG,' PRINTER    AND  PUBLISHER, 

1890-  [35  CTS.] 


■UMIiJlUlli 


^T^  W 


"The  brother. 


Splendor  and  Woe, 


BY  ISAAC  BROOME. 


^r 


t-C^ 


PATKRSON,  N.  J.: 

J.  A.  CRAIG,  PRINTER  &  PUBLISHER. 

189CA 

--O 


It 

I* 


-1  ^  ^ 


y 


f\ 


^ 


CoPyRIOHTKD    1890, 
By  ISAAC  BROOME. 


m 


I 


"Let    us  raise  a  srtandarj   to  which  the  wise  and 
honest  can  repair." 

Geok(jf  Washington. 


PREFACE. 


Some  v'ork  in  sculpture  that  I  had  to  do  for  the 
Paris  Exposition  of  1889  brought  me  back  to  New 
York  City  after  an  absence  of  twelve  years,  affording 
me  an  opportunity  to  observe  what  social  changes  had 
occurred  in  the  metropolis  during  that  intei val.  The 
silent  pres)  invited  the  natural  supposition  that  the  la- 
bor reform  movement  inaugurated  at  the  time  Henry 
George's  '  j,:  "Progress  and  Poverty"  made  its  ap- 
pearance, was  completely  dead.  Imagine  my  surprise 
at  finding  the  largest  audiences  in  New  York  City  at  ' 
tending  "the  American  public  School  ?,nd  anti-Poverty 
crusade"  under  the  leadership  of  the  excommunicated 
priest  McGlynn,  who  in  a  competitive  vote  for  the  most 
popular  citizen,  received  nearly  1 56,000.  I  found  al- 
so that  the  Socialists  were  holding  well  organized 
meetings  all  over  the  city.  Labor  societies  were 
studying  economic  questions.  The  Single  Taxists 
were  active  and  abundant.  The  Philosophical  An- 
archists had  large,  successful  gatherings  under  the 
leadership  of  Hugh  0.  Pentecost,  who  had  left  the 
pulpit  for  that  purpo  ;e.  The  Nationalist  movement 
thrr^ugh  the  philosophy  presented  in  Bellamy's  story 
of  "Looking  Backward,"  had  rapidly  sprung  into  great 
lif?.  spreading  like  wildfire  over  the  United  States. 
While  numberless  lectures  and  debates  by  advanced 
thinkers  on  economic  subjects   were  listened   to   by 


VI 


PREFACE. 


anxious,  inquiring  throngs  of  people.     President  Cleve- 
land had  been  downed  by  the  private  corporations  of 
the  country  on  account  of  his    message    to   the    50th 
Congress  warning  the  people  of  the  danger  of  trusts. 
And  his  successor  had  been  elefled  by  a  powerful  cap- 
italistic   combination   to    represent  end  care  for    their 
special  interests  in  grasping  all  the  material  wealtli  of 
the  United  States.     In    England  a  gigantic,   business 
paralysing   strike    had    succeeded  under   the    sudden 
emergence  of  SociaLstir  power  and  the  leadership  of 
John  Burns.     The  "Times"  conspiracy  to  destroy  Par- 
nell  and  the  Liberal  movement   in   Ireland    had    met 
with   disasterous    failure,    causing  breaks  in  the    Tory 
ranks.     The  downfall  of  Bismarkian  tyranny  was  wit- 
nessed in  Germany,    caused  oy  a  powerful  increase  of 
State  Socialists  votes  at  the  elections.       In  one  short 
and  memorable  year   Ballot    reform  was  inaugurated 
and  established.  The  press  everywhere  had  abandon- 
ed its  open  ho.stility  to  economic  ideas  and  movements, 
and  even  the  most  con.servative  magazines  were  made 
interesting  by  the  astonishing  introdu6lion  of  econom- 
ic articles,  for  which  an  universal   and  eager  demand 
seemed  to  suddenly  spring  up  among  the  reading  public. 
In  addition  to  all  this  the  Centennial  celebration  of 
Washington's  inaugural  took  place  in  New  York    City 
with  unusual    pomp   and   ceremony ;    an   account   of 
which  is  given  by  the  spirit  of  Edward    Pureheart  in 
the  second  century  after.     To  all  of  which  we  will  in- 
troduce the  reader  through  the  kindness  of  the  unfor- 
tunate   Comus,    whose    raillery    against    absurdities 
brought  him  so  many  calamities. 


dent  Cleve- 
Dorations  of 
3   the    50th 
sr  of  trusts, 
iwerful  cap- 
re  for    their 
al  wealUi  of 
ic,   business 
the    sudden 
eadcrship  of 
iestroy  Par- 
d    had    met 
n  the    Tory 
ny  was  wit- 
1  increase  of 
n  one  short 
inaugurated 
ad  abandon- 
movements, 
s  were  made 
I  of  econom- 
jer  demand 
iding  public, 
elebration  of 
/  York    City 

account  of 
Purcheart  in 
1  we  will  in- 
of  the  unfor- 

absurdities 


'THE  BROTHER." 


CHAPTER  I. 

COMUS'  ARRIVAL.     THE  NEW  ZEALAND  COLONY. 

Sounds  of  merriment  were  heard  proceeding  from 
a  group  of  people  who  were  enjoying  the  summer 
evening  oh  the  sloping  bank  of  a  broad  river.  The 
twilight  had  ended  and  was  but  faintly  visible  on  the 
western  horizon.  Night  had  fairly  settled  in  and  the  group 
had  provided  for  the  darkness  by  some  strange  instru- 
ment, which  they  placed  on  the  grass  lawn,  that  illu- 
minated the  place  Hke  an  electric  light.  Evidently 
they  were  preparing  to  retire  to  avoid  the  evtning 
dews  and  were  having  some  mirth-provo'ang  pleas- 
antry among  themselves  before  their  departure  to  a 
mansion  that  stood  on  a  terraced  rise  of  the  slope 
near  by. 

Suddenly  a  noise  in  the  air  like  the  whirr  of  a  sky 
rocket  wa&  heard  and  the  group  was  startled  by  seC" 
iag  the  figure  of  a  man  come  tumbling  through  the 
air  and  rolling  over  and  over  on  the  grass  near  where 
they  stood.  A  stream  of  sparks  cf  red  fire  was  in  the 
sky  in  the  direction  from  whence  he  came  that  as  sud- 
denly retreated,  disappearing  from  view  leaving  a  dis- 


2  "THE  BROTHER." 

"Agreeable  sulphurous  odor  behind. 

The  man  who  tumbled  on  the  grass  as  though  h6 
^ad  been  shot  out  of  a  cannon,  appeared  to  be  urthurt 
and  sat  up  at  once  ;  looking  around  to  see  where  he 
Vas,  the  light  on  the  lawn  and  the  group  of  people 
seemed  to  surprise  and  amus.  him,  for  immediately 
he  began  to  laugh.  This  conduct  dispelled  the  fear 
of  the  group  at  the  singular  introduction  of  this  strang- 
er from  the  skies,  who  continued  laughing  violently 
as  he  said,  at  the  way  the  Devil  was  fooled  ;  old  'Cloots' 
thought  to  banish  him  to  the  desolate  island  where 
New  York  formerly  stood,  but  here  were  people,  lawns, 
houses,  and  a  good  place  to  live  in.  If  the  old  Devil 
had  only  chased  him  a  little  farhter  and  had  not  been 
so  blinded  by  anger  he  would  have  found  people  hefe 
and  pretty  soon  an  old  time  New  York  lawyer  would 
have  beren  commissioned  to  get  hifn  some  customers  ; 
and  again  he  commenced  laughing  heartily. 

"Have  you  many  people  herei*"  he  inquired,  when 
he  had  regained  his  breath. 

"Yes,  a  great  many,"  the  group  replied. 

"Well,  well,  well  ;  you  must  be  all  angels,  f'br  the 
Devil  doesn't  know  it,  ha!  ha!  ha!  None  of  your  folks 
ever  get  down  to  see  his  drawing  room,    ha!  ha!  ha!" 

"Are  you  crazy  that  you  carry  on  in  this  way.'"  ask- 
ed one  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  group.  / 

"No.  I  am  not  crazy  ;  far  from  it.  I  am  perfectly 
conscious  and  quite  sane,  I  assure  you." 

"Who  are  you  then.'" 

"Who  am  I!     My  name  is  Comus." 
'       "Where  did  you  come  from.'" 


as  thougVi  h(i 
J  to  bti  urthurt 

see  where  he    , 
oiip  of   people 
r  immediately 
elled   the  fear 

of  this  strang- 
hing  violently 
d;old  'Cloots' 

island  where 
people,  lawns, 

the  old  Devil 
1  had  not  been 
id  people  hefe 
:  lawyer  would 
me  customers  ; 
rtily. 
inquired,  when 

ed. 

angels,    f^r  the 
e  of  your  folks 
I,    ha!  ha!  ha!"   / 
this  way?"ask- 

/ 
I  am    perfectly 

ii 


"THE  BROTHER. 

"I  came  from  Hell.  Did  you  not  see  the  .streak  of 
fire  the  old  Devil  left  behind  when  he  landed  me  on 
the  barren  island,  as  he  thought?  Why,  I  can  smell 
the  sulphur  yet.  He  always  smells  strongly  of  sulphur 
when  he  is  mad,  ha!  ha!  ha!" 

••You  take  us  for  children,  or  superstitious  savag<^s," 
replied  a  gentleman  in  the  group. 

"Oh,  no,  I  think  ngthi'  i  of  the  kind.  You  can  be- 
lieve what  you  please  about  my  statements,  but  I  as- 
sure you  that  was  the  Devil  that  you  saw  in  the  air  ; 
and  he  chased  me  here  because  I  kept  up  such  fun  in 
Hell  that  the  people  did  not  half  feel  their  torture. 
Old  'Cloots'  finally  got  mad  about  it  and  drove  me 
out  with  his  fork,  and  so  I  am  here." 

"How  did  you  get^to  Hell.?"  asked  the  gentleman. 

"Why,  I  thought  every  one  knew  that.  Don't  you 
know  that  Jupiter  drove  me  out  of  Heaven  for  making 
fun  of  Venus.'  And  I  had  no  place  to  go  except  to 
Hell,  so  I  thought  to  make  the  best  of  it,  which  I  did. 
Oh!  wc  had  a  jolly  time  ;  but  the  old  Devil  would  not 
have  fun  down  there,  so  the  meanest  place  he  thought 
to  chase  me  to  was  the  ground  where  New  York  used 
to  be.  The  New  Yorkers  are  nearly  all  down  there  ; 
and  Washington  and  Jefferson  told  the  folks  on  the 
planet  Jupiter  that  they  had  invoked  the  Spirit  of  de- 
struction and  wined  out  the  few  savage  descendents 
of  the  New  York  lawyers,  leaving  only  an  old  vault 
'  standing  that  contained  some  books  left  by  a  man  call- 
ed "The  Brother"  a  hundred  years  before." 

Getting  up  on  his  feet,  Comus  inquired  if  they  knew 
anything  of  the  vault,  and  if  it  had  ever  been  found, 


•5 


r 


•ttiE  BKOTHER." 


Stating  that  he  knew  where  to  look  for  it ;  that 
he  had  seen  New  York  in  Nineteenth  century  times 
and  knew  all  the  people  who  were  in  Hell,  and  could 
locate  it  at  once,  if  it  still  existed. 

The  people  in  the  group  informed  him  that  it  had 
been  found  and  it^  contents  were  all  preserved,  and 
that  he  could  have  the  pleasure  of  inspecting  the 
records  in  the  museum  if  he  wished. 

"You  are  a  singular  visitor  sir,  and  come  to  us  from 
a  strange  country  that  we  would  like  to  know  more 
about  should  you  be  inclined  to  grant  us  the  favor  ; 
and  we  will  extend  to  you  our  hospitality  if  you  desire, 
requesting  only  that  you  play  us  no  tricks  for  we  have 
read  of  your  character  as  represented  in  the  mytholo- 
gies. A  god  who  has  lived  with  Jupiter  may  hardly 
need  the  hospitality  of  mortals,  still  we  know  of  no 
other  way  than  to  treat  you  like  one  of  ourselves." 

"Thanks,"  replied  Comus.  "The  gods  krow  no 
higher  virtue  than  a  true  and  generous  hospitality  ; 
and  no  greater  vice  than  its  abuse.  I  may  be  expell- 
ed from  Heaven  and  Hell  for  my  excessive  mirth,  but 
I  am  still  a  God  and  know  the  value  of,  and  how  to 
respect,  the  attributes  that  exalt  both  god  and  man. 
You,  friends,  may  have  no  fear  of  Comus.  If  you  can 
bear  my  unfortunate  vice  of  mimicry,  in  all  other  re- 
spe<5ls,  you  will  find  me  not  wanting." 

"Your  sentiments  are    in    accoto    with    our   own, 
'  humor  is  not  considered  with  us  a  vice,  and  we  heart- 
ily bid  you  welcome.     Will  you  walk  within.'" 

The  interior  of  the  house  was  cheerfilly  lighted 
and  a  number  of  friends,  who  had  gathered  for   even- 


:  for  it ;  that 
:eiitury  times 
:1I,  and   could 

m  that  it  had 
reserved,  and 
nspecting   the 

ime  to  us  from 
know  more 
us  the  favor  ; 
if  you  desire, 
:s  for  we  have 
the  mythoio- 
may  hardly 
2  know  of  no 
jurselves." 
jods  krow  no 
I  hospitality  ; 
lay  be  expell- 
ive  mirth,  but 
f,  and  how  to 
god  and  man. 
i.  If  you  can 
all    other  re- 

th  our  own, 
md  we  heart- 
thin?" 

■fully  lighted 
■ed  for   even- 


"THE  BROTHER." 

ing  amusement,  took  great  interest  in  the  peculiar 
stranger,  who  did  not  suffer  from  embarrassment  on 
account  of  his  appearance,  or  from  being  the  object 
of  so  much  attraction  in  a  company  of  charming  people 
who  were  as  unreserved  as  childr|ii,  and  as  frank  in 
their  inquiries  and  expressions  of  wonder. 

The  young  man  who  extended  to  Comus   the  invi- 
tation to  partake  of  their   hospitality,  now  seen  in  the 
brilliantly    illuminated    f.partment,    presented  a  face 
and  brow  of  extraordina-  y  intelleftual  beauty,  coupled 
wite  a  phisique  quite  as  remarkable  for  its  manly  pro- 
portions and  vigor,  that  resembled  strongly  the    Bel- 
videre    Apollo.      He    had    remained    observant    and 
thoughtful  during  the    introdudlion    of  Comus,  but  as 
soon  as  the  first  flush  of  conversation  relaxed,  the  op- 
portunity was  embraced  to  inquire  of  Comus  what  he 
knew  about  "the  Brother"  who  had    left   the   strange 
records  of  Nineteenth  century  times  in  the  vault ;  stat- 
ing that  he  was  exceedingly    desirous  to  study  the 
character  of  the  man  who  had,  amidst  such    antagon- 
istic   surroundings   and   under   such  adverse  circum- 
stances, been  able  to  eliminate  the  true  basis  on  which 
society  could  only  properly  exist ;  and  confer  so  great 
a  ble-ssing  upon  the  present  civilization,  by   transmit- 
ting his  sublime  reasoning  on  the  causes  that  had  de- 
stroyed every    effort  of  man  to    reach    the    civilized 
state,  with  such  labor   and  skill  that,  but  for  him,  the 
useful  knowledge  of  that  wonderful  period,  would  have 
been  entirely  lost,  leaving   society  to  redevelop  itself 
again,  in  the  same  manner  as  all  other  previous  civil- 
izations, with  the  same  defe<5ls  and  with  the  same  dis- 


'i 


v  ■  >l 


pJiiBiffijiirni 


6  '  TilE^ROTHER." 

*'  ^j 

.  u 

astrous  results.  '   . 

"I  can  give  you  th«  most  minute  information  re- 
specting "The  Brother,"  replied  Comus,  but  it  is  first 
necessary  to  inspect  his  histories  and  records.  To 
make  the  matter  clt^r  much  would  require  to  be  said 
about  the  state  of  society  of  those  times,  and  of  the 
peculiar  characters  that  were  developed  out  of  th^ir 
conditions.  If  you  will  kindly  permit  me  I  would  like 
to  introduce  the  subject  by  inquiring  how  you  came 
here,  for  I  understood  that  the  only  human  beings  now 
existing  on  the  earth  were  the  idle  savages  who  inhab- 
it the  tropics,  living  by  the  chase."  .  ^ 

"With  pleasure,  sir.  Helena,  will  you  bring  me 
from  the  library  grand-father's  history  of  'The  Voy- 
age from  New  Zealand.?' 

"Here,  sir,  is  a  work  written  by  one  of  the  voyagers 
who  settled  on  ancient  New  York,  who  arrived  jast  ten 
years  after  some  violent  natural  catastrophe  happened 
on  this  island;  the  time  we  could  judge  from  the  growth 
of  plants  upon  its  surface.  The  indications  of  such  an 
upheaval,  or  inundation,  which  ever  it  was,  did  notde» 
ter  our  ancestors  from  locating  here,  because  they  had 
left  a  more  dangerous  country  and  were  willing  to 
take  any  risk  on  account  of  the  beautiful  bay  and  the 
noble  waters  emptying  into  it., 

"This  history  explains  the  disasters  that  had  hap- 
pened to  the  various  countries  of  Europe,  Asia,  Amer- 
ica, Australia,  South  Africa  and  New  Zealand.  How 
the  gigantic  operations  of  commerce  and  production 
were  concentrated  in  the  hands  of  a  few  persons,  in 
the  several  countries,  who   controlled  all    the    wealth 


mMMMymj 


formation  re- 
but it  is  first 
records.  To 
re  to  be  said 
,  and  of  the 
out  of  th^ir 
2  I  would  like 
)W  you  came 
n  beings  now 
:s  who  inhab- 
t  ■  * 

ou  bring  me 
'The    Voy- 

the  voyagers 
rived  jilst  ten 
)he  happened 
m  the  growth 
ns  of  such  an 
s,  did  not  de- 
ause  they  had 
re  willing  to 
bay  and  the 

at  had  hap- 
Asia,  Amer- 
aland.  How 
i  production 
/  persons,  in 
the    wealth 


"THE  BROTrtKR," 

artti  .i\jsorbcd  al^  the  earnings  of  the  people,  until  a 
savage  resistance  was  developed  among  the  suffering 
people,  who  finally  came  to  starve  for  food;  that  brought 
on  insurrection  in  every  country,  against  which  the 
monopolists  and  their  paid  adherents  struggled  until 
all  wealth  was  destroyed.  The  few  remaining  people 
who  survived  were  of  the  meanest  sort  and  were  ob- 
liged to  subsist  as  savages. 

"In  the  interior  of  New  Zealand  was  a  fertile  valley, 
somewhat  inaccessible  by  mountains  where  our  fore- 
fathers dwelt  in  a  quiet,  primitive,  agricultural  com- 
munity. None  were  mure  wealthy  than  the  rest,  all 
were  on  a  piano  of  social  equality.  Their  distance 
from  the  great  centres  of  trade  obliged  them  to  pro- 
duce for  themselves,  such  implements  and  manufac- 
tures as  they  needed.  Monopoly  had  not  developed 
with  them  at  the  time  of  the  crisis  throughout  the 
great  commercial  nations  consequently  they,  by  their 
isolated  geographical  position  and  simple  life,  escaped 
the  catastrophe  that  blotted  out  civilization  from  the  en- 
tire face  of  the  earth.  For  when  the  crash  came  in 
one  of  the  great  countries  it  broke  out  rapidly  in  all 
the  rest ;  every  locality  becoming  a  centre  of  insurrec- 
tion, so  that  concentration  of  force  to  crush  it  was 
impossible. 

"With  the  obliteration  of  the  postal  service,  the  news 
papers  and  shipping,  our  fore-fathers  lost  trace  of 
what  had  occurred  in  the  great  nations,  and  when  no 
means  of  communication  revived,  they  naturally  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  rest  of  the  world  had  shared 
the  same  fate  as  New  Zealand. 


■01 


■  V. 


nti_ 


8 


"THE  BROTHER." 


"Their  colony  grew  somewhat,  so  that  they  were 
enabled  to  establish  communication  with  the  coast, 
where  they  planted  a  good  strong  colony,  with  the  re- 
sult of  finally  constructing  some  small  sea-worthy 
vessels,  rigging  them  with  their  own  manufactured 
ropes  and  canvass.  The  occasion  of  this  was  because 
volcanic  eruptions  were  increasing  throughout  the  is- 
land, convincing  them  that  the  time  was  near  when 
necessity  would  oblige  them  to  vacate  their  beautiful 
and  productive  valley,  where  they  lived  in  peace  and 
happiness,  and  seek  some  other  part  of  the  world  free 
from  volcanic  dangers. 

"At  last  they  decided  to  start  fourteen  of  their  best 
vessels  on  a  voyage  of  discovery,  with  the  intention 
of  seeking  a  home  in  North  America,  providing  the 
condition  of  that  country  would  perniit  it.  The  hon- 
est and  affectionate  people  seperated  from  their  loved 
ones  to  practically  go  to  an  unknown  world.  Of  course 
they  had  their  old  maps,  geographies,  and  books  con- 
taining information  of  the  world  as  it  existed  in  their 
fathers'  time,  so  that  there  was  much  to  guide  them  as 
to  coasts,  ocean  currents,  trade  winds,  and  the  various 
climates.  They  also  were  acquainted  with  astronomy 
and  had  the  mariners  compass.  With  these  advanta- 
ges they  made  their  way  southward  rounding  the 
African  cape,  for  they  had  correflly  supposed  that  the 
Suez  canal  might  be'  destroyed  and  impassable. 

"It  was  not  without  hardship  and  great  danger  that 
they  managed  to  keep  together,  meeting  at  different 
jjoints  of  the  coast,  when  they  Ic^t  each  other  or  be- 
came scattered,  while  making  their  way  northward  to 


t  they  were 
I  the  coast, 
with  the  re- 
sea- worthy 
lanufacturcd 
was  because 
;hout  the  is- 
near  when 
eir  beautiful 
1  peace  and 
e  world  free 

of  their  best 
he  intention 
oviding  the 

The  hon- 
I  their  loved 

Ofcourse 
I  books  con- 
ted  in  their 
uide  them  as 
\  the  various 
\\  astronomy 
;se  advanta- 
>unding  the 
>sed  that  the 
sable. 

danger  that 

at  differertt 

>ther  Of  be- 

lorthward  to 


'THE  BROtHER 


the  Azore  islands,  for  along  the  coast  were  found  many 
dangerous  white  savages,  who  were  extremely  cun- 
ning and  cruel  murderers.  Superior  discipline  among 
the  navigators,  enabled  them  to  protect  themselves 
during  the  entire  route. 

"From  the  Azore  islands  they  succeeded  in  gaining 
the  South  American  coast,  where  they  found  only  sav- 
ages, but  in  the  tropics  they  were  not  so  dangerous. 
"The  voyage  northward  was  made  by  the  West  Indies 
along  the  Florida,  Carolina,  and  Virginian  coasts,  with 
but  one  dangerous  storm  off  cape  Hatteras,  from  which 
they  escaped  with  comparatively  little  damage,  enter- 
ing at  last  the  Bay  of  New  York  which  was  found  un- 
inhabited, except  by  wild  beasts." 

"What  would  the  New  York  politicians  say  to  this 
story,  could  I  only  get  back  and  tell  it  It?  would  be  a 
fine  supplement  to  the  old  fourth  of  July  orations,  and 
the  spread-eagle  buncombe  that  set  the  American 
idiots  to  yelling  and  the  fire  crackers  popping.  Oh! 
those  were  funny  times!"  And  Comus  chuckled  down 
in  his  throat  till  it  was  some  time  before  the  young 
man  could  continue  his  story. 

"Well,  our  fore-fathers  commenced  to  care  for  their 
ships  so  as  to  keep  them  in  good  order  for  their  crews 
to  return  and  bring  the  rest  of  their  friends  to  the 
new  home  which  they  had  selefted  here.  As  soon  as 
this  v/as  done,  the  colonists  began  to  ere6l  houses 
and  prepare  the  ground  for  crops,  to  provide  for  the 
future.  It  was  early  spring  and  they  managed  to  plant 
and  harvest  enough  food  on  Long  Island  to  secure 
them  for  the  next  year,  as   well  as  to  provision  their 


I 


I  ; 


■■m:mmmsv.mim^s 


gBtegggKa£52ys^i?gagaegaf2ma*iasss,iaaa 


W^ 


w 


liiiiHnMiiifii^^ 


1^. 


10 


'THE  Brother." 


crews  for  the  return  voyage,  which  was  now  made  di- 
rectly to  the  Azores.  The  next  year  moia  of  the  col- 
onists came,  and  at  the  end  of  five  years  thtr  entire- 
New  Zealand  community  was  transferred  to  America, 
with  the  aid  of  a  few  additional  vessels  which  they 
constructed."  ,      . 

"Brave  fellows!"  said  Comus. 

"Have  you  ever  heard  of  Columbus    and  MaKoUan* 
and  the  hardy  men  who  first  discovered  America.'" 

"Oh  yes,  we  have  preserved  our  histories  and  know 
all  the  ancient  world  and  their  doings. 

"One  of  the  first  things  that  happened  on  the  Island 
was  the  discovery  of  'the  Brother's'  vault  and  the    re- 
markable histories,  together   with   the    description  of 
the  scientific  machines  and  the  drawings  of  them.  Be- 
side the  vault  was  a    small  tomb  to   the   memory  of 
•Oony  Mcguire,  a  victim   of  society,'   which   excited 
great  furiosity,  but  we  could  never  unravel    the  mys- 
tery.    Do  you  know  anything  of  that.'" 
"Yes  ;  I  will  tell  you  of  it  some  time." 
"The  records  of  the  vault  so  agitated  the  minds   of 
our  fore-fathers   that  they  held  a   council    to    put   in 
practice,  for  their   future   government,    the   advice  of 
'the  Brother.'     And  this  unknown  man  is  the  founder 
of  our  civilization,  whose  wonders  you  will  bee  for  your- 
self, under  which  we  have  lived  happily,  without  strife 
or  contention,  ever  since.  And  we  .^re  only  too  happy 
now  to  be  able  to  learn  more  particularly  of  his   indi- 
viduality, so  that  we  may  not  worship  him  ;  but  honor 
ourselves  by  honoring  his  memory. 

"The  great  inventions  of  the  f'incteenth  century  be- 


low  made  di- 

I  a  of  the  col- 

s   tht;   entire 

to  America, 

which   they 


nd  MaR«.'llani 
America?" 
ries  and  know 

on  the  Inland 
t  and  the  re- 
description  of 
\  of  them.  Be- 
B  memory  of 
vhich  excited 
ivel    the  mys- 


thc  minds  of 
cil    to    put   in 

the  advice  of 
is  the  founder 
ill  see  for  your- 
,  without  strife 
mly  too  happy 
ly  of  his  indi- 
im  ;  but  honor 

ith  century  be- 


7 


"THR  IROTHER. 


li 


jjan  to  be  studied  by  our  young  men  and  soon,  by  the 
bid  of  'the  Brother's'  carefully  prepared  records,  we 
were  able  to  produce  the  machines,  one  after  another, 
until  finally  all  were  accomplished  and  our  people, 
through  the  study  and  practice,  under  more  favor&ale 
social  conditions  than  the  Nineteenth  century  people 
had,  far  surpassed  the  inventions  of  that  day,  comple- 
ting many  useful  things  that  they  only  vaguely  dream- 
ed of.  Simply  becau.se  the  people  of  our  times  were 
free  from  the  individual  strain  of  providing  for  their 
livelihood,  and  were  not  obliged  to  barter  their  ideas 
and  inventions  to  the  greedy,  cheating  monopolists  of 
that  day, " 

"Ah!  those  poor  devils  of  inventors  died  one  after 
another  from  starvation.  There  was  a  show  of  justice 
in  the  courts  but  the  poor  fellows  had  not  the  money 
to  defend  themselves,  from  the  rapacious  rich  robbers 
who  took  their  inventions  and  used  them  defiantly. 
When  the  poor  devils  raised  a  little  money  and  appli- 
ed to  the  courts  for  justice,  the  rich  men  postponed  the 
trial  and  fought  it  for  years,  until  the  inventors  were 
exhausted  and  gave  up  the  contest,  or  died  broken 
hearted,  when  the  robbers  went  on  happily,  became 
rich  and  honored,  indeed,  almost  worshipped.  It 
was  hard  on  the  poor  inventors;  but  grand  for  rich 
robbers.  The  poor  fellows  of  that  day  used  to  have 
a  superstition  with  which  they  comforted  themselves, 
which  was  to  the  effect,  'that  those  who  acquired 
wealth  by  injustice,  would  come  to  an  evil  end.'  You 
could  not  believe  what  a  satisfaction  they  took  out  of 
tb;s  notion,  ani  how  persistent  they  were  in  this  be- 


•( 


J 

,1 
•■J 


jm^sm^&^^ 


■»«l«>lillil 


12 


"THE  BROTHER. 


Hef,  even  with  the  /acts  of  the  permanent  success  of 
the  greatest  scoundrels  in  all  ages  before  their  eyes. 
It  was  one  of  the  fumy  things  of  those  times. 

•'The  courts  of  justice!  ha!  ha!  ha!  Why,  to  obtain 
ju«tice,  you  had  t(;  have  plenty  of  money  for  the  court 
expenses  and  the  lawyers.  Justice  was  not  protectiv-e 
to  the  weak  and  helpless ;  it  had  to  be  paid  for.  No 
very  rich  criminal  could  be  punished,  even  for  murder. 
You  need  not  stare  ;  it  is  a  fact.  The  political  robbers 
managed  to  appoint,  or  elect,  the  prosecuting  attorney 
who  would  humbug  the  people  and  kill  the  case  some- 
how, so  that  the  robbers  could  not  be  brought  to  jus- 
tice or  punished.  When  the  corrupt  governors  appoint- 
ed he  judge,  or  when  the  judges  were  elected  by  the 
degraded  and  uneducated  sc.^m,  is  it  not  natural  that 
the  judges  would  be  such  as  must  decide  for  the 
interests  of  their  masters,  who  were  the  robbers  and 
the  scum.'  When  things  became  so  bad  that  injustice 
was  openly  and  defiantly  done  and  all  governmental 
virtue  was  lost,  a  few  reformers  arose  who  partially  or 
wholly  denounced  the  corruptions,  but  they  were 
laughed  to  scorn  or  killed,  generally  after  legal  form, 
the  wretches  whom  they  tried  to  save  assisting  and 
enjoying  the  murder  of  these  good  fellows.  Ha!  ha! 
ha!  Oh!  the  Nineteenth  century  people  were  dandies 
in  the  waj'^  of  jjustice." 

"Your  statements,"  said  Helena  "agree  with  those 
of  our  great  master.'the  Brother',  excepting  that  his 
account  is  sad  and  serious,  entirely  without  the  amuse- 
ment you  seem  to  enjoy  from  the  misfortunes  of  those 
wretched  people.    I  ttiink  should  you  read  the  history  ^^ 


lent  success  of 
ore  their  eyes. 

times. 

Why,  to  obtain 
ey  for  the  court 
5  not  protective 
:  paid  fof.  No 
ven  for  murder, 
olttical  robbers 
cuting  attorney 

the  case  somt- 
brought  to  jus- 
ernors  appoint- 
e  elected  by  the 
ot  natural  that 
decido  for  the 
le  robbers  and 
id  that  injustice 
I  governmental 
ivho  partially  or 
>ut  they  were 
fter  legal  form, 
e  assisting  and 
ows.  Ha!  ha! 
e  were  dandies 

jree  with  those 
epting  that  his 
bout  the  amuse- 
Drtunes  of  those 
read  the  history 


'f'TKE  BROTHER." 


IS 


of  the  crushed  toilers  that  tears  would  take  the  place 
of  laughter." 

"  My  dear  lady,  pardon  me  if  I  appear  unappreci- 
ative  of  the  misfortunes  of  the  toilers.  When  I  think 
of  what  fools  they  were  to  suffer  misery  and  death  at 
the  hands  of  a  few  men,  who  took  all  the  land,  capital 
and  productions  from  the  land  and  their  labor  ;  when 
they  could  have  corrected  it  ail  in  five  minutes  and 
lived  ^s  happily,  as  you  say  you  now  do,  and  with  the 
same  comfort.  Pardon  me.  Have  you  any  poor 
people  among  you.'" 

'    "No   sir ;  not    one.       All  have  the  same  comfort 
that  you  see  here." 

"Well,  I  was  goiag  to  say,  that  these  peor  fools 
were  the  authors  and  supporters  of  their  own  misfort- 
unes through  their  ignorance  and  superstitions.  Why, 
there  were  more  absurdities  than  miseries,  although 
there  were  enough  to  destroy  them  all,  the  miseries 
perishing  with  them.  But  ihe  absurdities  still  live 
and  to  me  they  are  the  important  part  of  their  whole 
existence." 

"I  doubt  if  I' shall  be  able  to  agree  with  your 
reasoning." 

"Never  mind;  let  that  go.  I  see  that  I  shall,  through 
my  inclination  to  laugh  at  folly,  soon  be  in  trouble 
here  too.  if  I  do  not  restrain  myself." 

"Do  not  misconstrue  our  frankness,"  replied  Kolena. 
"We  are  free  from  Nineteenth  century  conversational 
vices.  The  truth  as  we  see  and  feel  it  is  always 
spoken  ;  no  one  would  give  or  accept  offense.  Truth 
is  above  and  beyond  personal   opinion.       Truth  is  a 


w 


wmmm 


14 


•THE  BROTHER. 


deity.     Personal  opinion  may  be  a  vice". 

''Your  sentiments  are  unusual  for  humanity.     Per- 
sonal opinion  was  the  only  virtue  I  ever  knew  any  of 
them  to  claim,  for  it  they  would  contend  and  fight  un- 
til they  killed  one  another.     They  lived      .d  died  by 
it.     It  was  constitutional  with  all  the  old  stock  of  men 
that  I  knew,  to  deny  any  statement  as  soon  ay  pre- 
sented.    No  matter  what  it  was,  even  a  mathematical 
calculation,     'That's  not  so,'  was  the  first  word.     'I 
don't  believe  it.'     'You  must  be  a  fool,   a  crank,  or  a 
jack-ass.'     That  is  all  the   reasoning  I  ever  heard  in 
nineteenth  century  times,  and   that   settled   it."     And 
Comus   fell    into  a  fit  of  laughing  that  brought  smiles 
to  the  countenances  of  all  the    ladies   and    gentlemen 
present. 

"Mr  Comus,  would  you  like  vo  retire?" 
"No  Miss,  I  never  become  fatigued  like  mortals.  Do 
not  permit  ;ne  to  delay  your  hour  of  rest,  for  I  shall  fully 
amuse  myself  by  walking   abou^   the    neighborhood . 
You  may  lock  up  the  house  if  you  wis!.'." 

"We  never  lock  the  house.  The  door  may  be  closed 
for  fear  of  storm  ;  but  the  house  is  always  open  for  who- 
ever chooses  to  ente*-." 

"Have  you  no  fear  of  thieves  and    murderers.'" 
"Oh  no,"  said  Helena,  laughing,  "that  antiquated 
disease  is  entirely  obliterated   »vith  us.      it  departed 
with  its  cause,  with  the  death  of  monopoly  which  also 
expired,  never  to  be  resuscitated,  I  hope." 
"How  then  do  your  lawyers  and  police  live.''" 
"We  hav^  no  necessity  for  such  things.     We  have 
read  of  their  cruel  doings  in  'the   Brother's'  histories 


imanity.  Per- 
•  knew  any  of 
i  and  fight  un- 
i  -d  died  by 
i  stock  of  men 

soon  ai4  pre- 
,  mathematical 
first  word.     *I 

a  crank,  or  a 
ever  heard  in 
tied  it."  And 
brmight  smiles 
md   gentlemen 

?" 

<e  mortals.  Do 
for  I  shall  fully 
neighborhood . 

,." 

may  be  closed 
s  open  for  who- 

urderers.'" 
hat  antiquated 
It  departed 
)oly  which  also 
je." 

ice  live.''" 
jgs.     We  have 
;her's'  histories 


THE  BROTHER. 


»S 


and  would  be  truly  miserable  if  such  wretches 
were  a  necessity  of  our  civilization.  No  one  among 
us  requires  protection  from  the  encroachments  of  each 
other,  and  we  are  only  happy  to  see  anyo.ie,  should 
they  cA\,  night  or  day." 

"Your  life  must  be  dreadfully  insipid  without  quar- 
rels and  broils;  no  thieving  or  murdering.  How 
can  you  fill  your  daily  papers  with  interesting  matter? 
It  is  a  wonderful  change  for  me,  for  I  have  just  come 
from  seeing  the  politicians,  boodlers,  stock  gamblers, 
rail  road  kings,  and  giain  speculators,  in  one  mass, 
just  as  they  were  in  the  Nineteenth  Centura  times, 
forced  to  keep  right  on  at  their  old  trade,  and  if  they 
slack  up  a  moment,  "old  cloots"  prods  them  on  pretty 
lively.  Ha!  ha!  ha!  They  are  sick  of  the  business  I 
assure  you.  No  one  worships  them  down  there  for 
being  rich.     Ha!  ha!     It  is  great  sport. ' 

The  company  looked  pained  at  this  recital.  Comus* 
merriment  failed  to  make  the  subject  pleasant  for  them, 
and  they  all  politely  retired,  requesting  him  to  enter- 
tain himself  as  he  desired,  wishing  him  good  night 
with  a  hope  for  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him  in  the 
morning. 


m^^mm- 


wmm 


mmmimmm 


CHAPTER  II. 


COMUS      NIGHT     VISIT     TO     "THE 
MAUSOLEUM. 


BROTHER'vS" 


No  sooner  had  the  company  retired  than  Comus 
sallied  out  into  the  night. 

He  had  not  gone  far  v/hen  a  fierce  flash  of  light- 
ning followed  by  loud  thunder,  apprised  him  of  a  sud- 
den storm  close  over-head.  In  a  morr.ent  the  rain 
began  to  pour,  and  Coir.us  retired  from  the  silent  and 
deserted  streets  to  a  large  stone  porrJi,  where  he  was 
safely  sheltered  from  the  dri'dng  rain  that  was  carried 
in  wave  like  sheets  by  the  strong  surface  current  of 
wind,  that  its  weight  could  not  suppress.  In  this 
drifting  mass  of  rp.in  and  vapor  nothing  was  visible 
except  the  e' metric  flashes  from  the  clouds.accompan- 
ied  by  the  incessant  roar  of  thunder  that  blended  its 
sound  with  the  dash  of  the  storm. 

The  elements  over  head  seemed  determined  to  dis- 
play their  fiercest  mood,  inspiring  terror  more  than 
grandeur,  as  though  inclined  to  give  Comus  an  intro- 
duction to  the  City  as  violent  as  his  expulsion  from  the 
infernal  regions,  a  few  hours  before. 

Long  he  gazed  at  this  deluge  of  water  as  it  fell  up- 
on the  smooth  streets,  where  it  ran  in  torrents,  con- 


brother's" 


:d  than  Comus 

flash  of  light- 
d  him  of  a  sud- 
•rr.ent  the  rain 
I  the  silent  and 
,  where  he  was 
:hat  was  carried 
"ace  current  of 
ress.  In  this 
tig  was  visible 
uds.accompan- 
lat  blended  its 

ermined  to  dis- 
rror  more  than 
omus  an  intro- 
julsion  from  the 

er  as  it  fell  up- 
torrents,  con- 


"THE  BROTHER. 

trusting  strangely  in  his  thoughts  with  the  torrid  at- 
mosphere, heat  and  smoke  of  the  region  where  he  had 
so  long  amused  himself  with  his  Nineteenth  century 
acquaintances. 

The  storm  began  to  slacken,  the  lightning  became 
less  violent,  and  displayed  itself  in  broader  flashes  as 
though  its  centre  was  passing  away  from  the  city. 
Abating  almost  as  rapidly  as  it  came,  the  drifting  va- 
porous clouds  adding  variety  and  splendor  to  the  clear- 
ed atmosphere,  intercepting  the  rich  moonlight  at  in- 
tc:rv.-\ls  like  pictures  of  the  spectroscope,  revealing  by 
their  brilliancy  works  of  human  akill  such  as  never 
before  had  been  witnessed  on  earth.  Comus  was  so 
amazed  at  the  beautiful  and  countless  structures  of  ar- 
tistic design,  that  he  failed  to  observe  how  rapidly  the 
smooth  even  streets  were  cleared  of  water  and  that 
hfs  walk  was  in  no  way  impeded. 

The  extraordinary  splendor  of  the  buildings  on  each 
side  of  the  wide  thoroughfare  naturally  suggested  to 
his  mind  that  he  was  on  the  main  avenue  of  the  city; 
but  looking  up  and  down,  the  intersections  revealed 
no  difference  in  the  quality  of  the  structures  that  were 
designed  in  flat  facades,  richly  ornamented,  broken  at 
intervals  with  stretches  of  colonades,  apparently  in 
stone  or  similar  material,  not  clearly  distinguishable  by 
the  moonlight,  which  drew  in  broad  shadows  the 
beautiful  studied  outlines  and  choice  proportions  of 
architecture.  There  were  no  wasteful  spires;  the  effect 
was  simple  and  pure  Hkc  ancient  Greek  with  an  ad- 
dition'of  solid  facade  treatment,  entirely  new,  that  re- 
lieved agreeably  what  would  otherwise  have  been  a 
3  > 


.„.jt;-  i....    -I 


jMdii 


,iagS«fej«MH;>.M^:i  -.-^difcaPAK:-.. 


amm 


^t^^^ 


fj;,.,\ 


t8 


"THE  BROTHER. 


monotony  of  colonade.  Open  areas  were  frequent  at 
the  intersections  of  avenues,  where  cultivated  plants 
piofuaely  bloomed  on  bordered  walks  around  the  base 
of  lovely  sparkling  fountains,  sculptured  and  orna- 
mented witb  wondrous  skill.  Circles  of  giant  shade 
trees  encompassed  these  areas,  beneath  which 
were  numerous  fancifully  carved  seats  and  couches 
for  resting.  Vistas  in  every  direction  revealed  mon- 
umental termini  that  loomed  in  solemn  grandeur 
chano-ing  from  deep  shadow  to  softened  light  as  the 
drifti.  g  clouds  of  the  moonlit  sky  revealed  or  hid 
them  from  view. 

At  length  he  reached  a  large  central  square 
decorated  by  a  grand  mausoleum  of  an  indescribably 
delicate  effect.  Section  after  section  of  its  members 
rose  above  each  other,  forming  porches  of  doubled  and 
tripled  columns  supporting  elliptic  spans,  diminishing 
in  lighter  forms  above,  terminating  in  a  circular  bel- 
videre  of  artistic  architecture.  An  inscription  on  the 
lower  entablature  read:  "The  tribute  of  a  happy 
people  to  the  memory  of  'The  Brother.'"  Comus  ex- 
amined this  structure  attentively  observing  the  elabor- 
ately carved  and  sculptured  surfaces  as  well  as  the 
moonlight  permitted.  Then  ascending  by  an  easy 
winding  stair,  he  reached  the  belvidere  where  a  pan- 
orama presented  itself  to  his  wondering  eyes,  which 
eclipsed  in  the  extent  and  magnitude  of  its  outlines, 
his  astonishment  at  the  beauty  of  its  details  witnessed 
on  the  broad  avenues  and  parks, 

The  city  lay  before  him  like  a  tracery  of  ornament. 
Its  rigid  geometric  lines  intercepted  at  sh  rt  distances 


ere  frequent  at 
tivated  plants 
round  the  base 
red  and  orna- 
)f  giant  shade 
:neath  which 
i  and  couches 
revealed  mon- 
emn  grandeur 
d  light  as  the 
svealed  or  hid 

:entral  square 
I  indescribably 
f  its  members 
of  doubled  and 
ns,  diminishing 
I  circular  bel- 
cription  on  the 
e  of  a  happy 
'"  Comus  ex- 
,ring  the  elabor- 
as  well  as  the 
ig  by   an  easy 

where    a  pan- 
g   eyes,  which 

of  its  outlines, 
;tails  witnessed 

•y  of  ornament, 
sh  rt  distances 


"THE  BROTHER 


by  the  rosette  like  centres,  furnished  with  rich  works 
of  art  relieved  with  natural  beauty.  On  each  side  of 
the  city  lay  long  stretches  of  ornamental  gardens  bor^ 
dered  by  the  river,  the  dim  light  faintly  revealing  a 
fretted  outline  of '  elicate  boat  house  like  structures 
extending  for  miles  in  the  distance.  A  number  of 
Ships  lay  anchored  in  the  river,  without  masts,  sails, 
smoke  stack  or  other  visible  propelling  power. 

Comus  thoughtfully  gazed  upon  the  scene,  viewing 
each  part  again  and  again,  often  looking  towards  the 
moon  that  now  was  nearing  the  western  horizon,  until 
the  eastern  sky  gave  evidence  by  its  faint  light  that 
morning  was  near.  Soon  came  a  few  calls  from  the 
feathered  inhabitants  of  the  trees  near  by,  answered 
more  and  more  rapidly  by  their  mates,  breaking  into 
musical  notes  as  the  joy  increased  with  the  brighteri- 
ing  light,  until  the  effulgent  burst  of  the  e^od  of  day 
from  the  midst  of  his  bed  of  crimson  and  gold  vapors, 
brought  forth  from  myriads  of  flute  like  throats  the 
inspiring  hymn  of  morning. 

The  inhabitants  began  to  appear  exercising  them- 
selves in  the  fr  shened  atmosphere  upon  the  broad 
avenues  or  in  the  parks.  Handsome  youths  and 
pretty  maidens  amused  themselves  in  a  variety  of 
ways.  Pleasant  faces,  sweet  cheerful  voices,  and  merry 
laughter,  were  seen  and  heard  everywhere.  Surely 
these  people  were  happy!  Comus'  strange  appear- 
ance and  red  cloak  attracted  attention,  and  soon  he 
was  the  centre  of  a  number  of  young  people,  whom 
he  delighted  with  his  mimicry  and  wit,  which  rose 
to  such  heighth,  that  for  sport  a  group  of  pretty    girls 


20 


"THE  BROTHER. 


joined  hands  and  danced  round  him  singing  some  play 
rhymt;,  in  response  to  which  Comus  gave  an  imitation 
of  their  feminine  movements,  and  a  pirouette  that  as- 
tonished the  group,  provoking  laughter.  A  few  jests 
at  parting,  and  Comus  returned  in  the  direction  of  his 
landing  from  the  sky  on  the  previous  evening,  to  meet 
his  friends  according  to  promise. 

They  received  him  pleasantly,  anxiously  inquiring 
of  his  experience  during  the  storm,  and  how  he  passed 
the  night  in  his  perambulations.  They  in  turn  were 
plied  with  innumerable  questions  in  regard  to  the  city 
as  partly  seen  by  Comus.  Of  the  plan,  its  construction 
the  dwellings,  mode  of  life,  how  it  came  to  be  jo  per- 
fectly built  and  of  its  industries.  The  more  Comus 
asked  the  more  he  seemed  puzzled  and  bewildered. 
Each  statement  drew  from  him  a  multitude  of  questions 
which  Helena  said,  should  properly  be  answered  in 
detail  by  his  visiting  the  various  places  of  interest  and 
witnessing  their  improvements. 

His  curiosity  led  him  to  accept  an  invitation  to  join 
the  party  at  breakfast,  and  a  short  walk  brought  them 
to  a  central  hall  where  many  citizens  of  all  ages  were 
assembled  to  partake  of  the  morning  repast.  The 
waiters  wei  ^^  of  their  own  class  who  yielded  their  places 
after  serving  those  who  breakfasted  one  after  another 
and  retired.  Comus  assisted  in  serving  the  tables 
when  it  came  his  friends  turn.  Tying  his  cloak  under 
his  left  dirm,  he  displayed  such  alacrity  in  his  move- 
ments coupled  with  many  obsequious  flourishes  of  the 
nineteenth  century  waiter,  and  occasional  sly  hints 
for  a  tip,  that  these  good  natured  pteople  passed  through 


^sSfw^siea^^^ 


ging  some  play 
ve  an  imitation 
ouette  that  as- 
'.  A  few  jests 
direction  of  his 
vening,  to  meet 

ously  inquiring 
I  how  he  passed 
yr  in  turn  were 
jard  to  the  city 
its  construction 
e  to  be  jO  per- 
e  more  Comus 
.nd  bewildered, 
ade  of  questions 
e  answered  in 
(  of  interest  and 

vitation  to  join 
<  brought  them 
fall  ages  were 
g  repast.  The 
ded  their  places 
le  after  another 
kfing  tlie  tables 
his  cloak  under 
'  in  his  move- 
lounshes  of  the 
ional  sly  hints 
passed  through 


the  various  phases  of  surprise,  smiles,  and  hearty 
laughter.  Wherever  Comus  went  he  became  the 
centre  of  amusement,  which  these  unrestrained  good 
people  seemed  to  enjoy,  for  there  was  not  a  frown  on 
any  fa'^e,  and  even  the  aged  seemed  to  take  pleasure 
in  merriment. 

Evidently  the  bright  intellectual  young  Apollo  was 
deeply  in  love  with  Helena,  and  his  attachment  thor- 
oughly reciprocated.  No  attempt  was  made  between 
these  two  lovers  to  disguise  their  afTection ;  nor  did  it 
seem  to  attract  attention.  Shameful  blushes  arising 
from  passionate  thoughts  of  uncultivated  minds  had 
no  place  here.  Loving  looks  and  sweet  smiles  were 
open  and  frank.  The  tender  passion  exhibited  Itself 
with  an  honest,  unreserved  dignity,  admirable  as  well 
as  pleasurable  to  their  friends. 

Here  no  parent  feared  an  alliance.  All  the  com- 
munity was  good,  sound,  and  honorable.  No  barriers 
presented  themselves  to  affection,  and  in  freedom  it 
found  its  natural  expression. 

"It  will  he  necessary  Comus,  for  me  to  accompany 
you  to  the  office  of  our  General,"  said  Agro,  "so  that 
you  may  be  assigned  to  a  place  among  our  citizens 
and  be  properly  provided  for.  Our  custom  requires 
all  those  who  witnessed  your  arrival  to  be  present  and 
make  their  statements  as  to  this  strange  event.  After 
that  duty  is  performed,  we  will  extend  to  you  the 
courtesies  becoming  civilized  people,  and  present  you 
the  opportunity  to  obtain  what  pleasure  or  interest 
you  may  be  able  to  draw  from  an  examination  of  our 
life  and  mariners." 


\miWS'^^''':'^'y^mmBfismmmsmim8mss^m^smiismssss^s^^^ 


33 


"THE  BROTHER." 


"Thanks,  Agro.  To  conform  to  your  social  regu- 
ktions  will  not  only  be  my  duty  but  also  my  pleasure." 

"Will  you  walk  or  fly?" 

"Fly!" 

"You  are  unacquainted  with  our  modes  of  loconro- 
tlon.  They  are  developments  of  vague  efforts  of 
Nineteenth  century  times,  which  have  been  worked 
out  in  quite  simple  form  by  our  scientists.  Indeed  it 
is  surprising  to  students  why  they  were  not  developed 
in  former  times,  uut  I  suppose  that  was  due  to  the 
hard  struggle  the  poor  scientists  had  to  exist,  or  maybe 
to  their  discouragement  by  the  monopolists  against 
whom  they  had  no  security." 

"Yes  that  is  sadly  true.  'The  brother'  has  doubt- 
less made  you  acquainted  with  that  heartless  age.  I 
am  exceedingly  anxious  to  see  what  records  have 
been  left  by  him  and  will  prefer  to  walk  in  this  de- 
lightful atmosphere,  should  it  be  agreeable  to  the 
company  and  not  a  fatiguing  distance  for  them.  I 
shall  hope  to  try  your  wings  in  flying  at  another  time." 

"The  distance  is  short  and  we  all  prefer  to  walk," 
said  Helena.  "You  will  thus  obtain  a  better  view  of 
the  city  than  by  moonlight." 

"The  view  by  moonlight  was  enchanting  from  the 
belvidere  of 'The  Brother's'  mausoleum.  No  work  of 
man,  in  any  age,  has  ever  given  me  so  much  pleasure. 
I  have  seen  many  civilizations  grow  «i,id  decline,  famous 
cities  that  cost  the  blood  and  treasure  of  nations  and 
centuries  of  effort,  but  none  that  presented  such  com- 
pleteness, with  the  iippression  of  its  perfect  adaptation 
to  the  wants  and  comfort  of  humanity.     \Vas  it  a  plan 


'A 


"THE  BROTHER. 


23 


social  rcgu- 
my  pleasure." 


OS  of  locoiro- 
guc    efforts  of 

been  worked 
:s.  Indeed  it 
not  developed 
s  due  to  the 
xist,  or  maybe 
>olists  against 

er'  has  doubt- 
rtless   age.      I 

records  have 
k  in  this  de- 
jeable  to    the 

for  them.  I 
mother  time." 
jfer  to  walk," 
better  view  of 

ting  from  the 
No  work  of 
luch  pleasure, 
ecline,  famous 
f  nations  and 
ed  such  com- 
?ct  adaptation 
\Vas  it  a  plan 


that  developed  as  you  went  on  with  improvements,  or 
did  you  lay  it  out  at  first.^"  "The  first  houses,"  replied 
Agro  "were  built  of  logs  as  temporary  shelter  for  our 
forefathers.  The  plan  of  the  permanent  city  was  in 
The  Brother's'  records;  in  tho  book  called  'Sugges- 
tions.' Great  quantities  of  cut  stone  were  found,  the 
remains  of  former  buildings  that  were  used  for  the 
first  structures  which  are  plainer  than  thos^  you  see 
here,  I  will  show  you  the  first  buildings  erL-ted.  •«o 
that  you  may  Judge  the  progressive  steps  our  people 
have  made  in  architecture." 

"  How  did  your  forefather  (  find  time    to  undertake 
such  vast  works?" 

'■Easily  enough.  When  they  adopted  'The  Broth- 
er's' plan  of  society,  it  was  soon  discovered  that  they 
could  not  consume  the  entire  product  and  were  oblig- 
ed to  shorten  the  hours  of  labor,  often  stopping  some  of 
the  departments  for  many  months,  until  the  goods 
would  be  used  py  the  people.  Nearly  all  the  depart- 
ments would,  as  a  nritter  of  course,  stop  their  work  to 
assist  at  planting  and  harvest  times  ;  so  they  turned 
these  intervals  into  building  and  improving  for  great- 
er comfort  and  enjoyment.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  our  people  had  ample  time  to  contrive  and  con- 
struct any  machines  to  facilitate  their  operations,  this 
again  multiplying  their  power  to  work  with  ease  and 
rapidity.  Culture  went  on  so  rapidly  in  the  arts  of 
taste  that  even  the  first  buildings  are  quite  handsome- 
ly embellished.  All  the  constiuctive  work  being  of 
the  best  quality,  no  pains  being  spared  to  make  it 
perfect.     Indeed,  all  you  see  here  has  been  only  work 


i  .J 


■Mi 


24 


TlIK  UKOrilKR. 


of  pleasure.  None  have  suffered  from  over- wot  k  or 
fatigue.  In  no  period  have  the  hours  of  enjoyment 
been  encroached  upon,  for  t,  eir  principle  v/a»,  Vom 
the  first,  that  nothinjj  was  dcsrable  which  destroyed 
the  health  and  pleasure  of  the  people.  So  you  see, 
Comus,  our  beautiful  city  did  not  cost  either  the  blood 
or  treasure  of  nations,  or  even  centuries  to  biild. 
Rather  it  ma)'  be  called  the  result  of  our  recreation. 
In  former  times  the  greatest  works  of  architectural 
skill,  were  the  temples  of  su|)crstition  contributed  by 
the  devotees  to  low  grades  of  religious  rites  and  cer- 
emonies ;  now  the  greatest  buildings,  more  num<.'rous 
and  superior  in  taste,  arise  from  the  ethics  c*"  justice 
equality,  and  common  humanity." 

Comus  was  thoughtful  for  a  few  moments.  Then 
turning  to  Agro  he  said:  -'This  recalls  to  my  mind 
the  horrors  of  all  the  civil  a'ions  ever  witjussed  on 
earth,  from  the  ch.  itel  slaves  who  built  the  Egyptian 
temples  and  pyramids,  to  the  more  degraried  wage 
slaves  who  fdled  the  factories  and  sweating  shops  of 
former  America.  The  crude  agriculturists,  railroad  and 
river  men,  the  street  and  sewer  builders  ;  all  industries 
carried  on  by  individual  effort,  or  by  combinations  for 
individual  profit  and  interest,  every  man  in  the  com- 
petit've  struggle,  becoming  a  robber  of  his  fellow  man, 
by  '^h'.ating,  falsifying,  and  adulteration.  Honesty 
ccri'.  not  possibly  exist.  Civilization  could  not  ad- 
vance because  of  individual  interest.  Inventions  to 
assist  production  only  brought  fiercer  competition  of 
the  toilers  against  the  machines,  which  they  called 
'The  Iron  scab  ;'  making  the  daily  strain  so  great  that 


over- wot  k  or 

of  enjoyment 

pic  v/as,   Torn 

lich  destroyed 

So  you  see, 

thcr  the  blood 

urics  to  biild, 

ur   recreation. 

architectural 

rontributc'J  by 

rites  and  cer- 

ore  numerous 

lies   c'  justice 

inents.     Then 
to   my  mind 
witnt'ssed  on 
the  '.rigyptian 
igraded    wage 
tinp,    shops  of 
>,  rail  road  and 
;  ail  industries 
Tibinations  for 
in    the  corn- 
is  fellow  man, 
an.      Ifonesty 
ould    not  ad- 
Inventions  to 
ompctition  of 
1    they  called 
so  great  that 


"THK  UKOTllER." 


as 


the  toilers  often  dropj)cd  dead  from  over  work.  The 
balance  stiffened  up  with  rigid  muscles,  contracted 
disease,  and  when  no  unge.  able  to  stand  with  the 
young  and  strong,  were  thrown  aside,  expelled  from 
their  homes  by  landlords  and  perished  with  their  fam- 
ilies from  want  of  food,  clothing,  and  shelter." 

"Your  statements  agree  with  those  left  in  'The 
Brother's'  vault  " 

"Words  could  not  describe  the  horrors  of  that  age," 
replied  Comus. 

"Our  students  of  history  will  be  glad  of  this  infor- 
mation. Your  knowledge  of  those  times  will  greatly 
assist  the  study  of  antiquity  ;  providing  we  may  be  able 
to  persuade  them  that  we  saw  you  chased  from  the 
sky  by  the  Devil." 

"Ha,  ha.  When  I  think  of  the  old  boy,  I  must 
laugh  at  the  way  I  annoyed  him,  ha !  ha !  ha !  he !  he! 
he!"  and  Comus  began  to  chuckle,  again  forgetting  in 
his  merriment,  all  the  sad  horrors  which  he  had  just 
related  of  the  Nineteenth  century  toilers. 

"  Agro,  how  do  you  run  this  government  ?  Have 
you  a  system  of  taxes }" 

"No  sir." 

"No  taxes!"      • 

-No." 

"  No  tariffs,  custom  houses,  whiskey  and  vobacco 
tr  xes  >" 

"No  sir." 

"Not  even  a  land  tax  ?" 

"No." 

"  Well,  that  beats  me  !     How  do  you  collect  money 

4 


j^asmummm, 


26  "THK  BROTHER. 

to  Day  the  expenses  of  the  government?" 

"  We  have  no  exp<:nses." 

"Don't  you  pay  your  officials?" 

"No  sir;  they  need  no  pay" 

"  Need  no  pay!      How  do  they  live?" 

"The  same  as  the  rest  of  us." 

"  Don't  you  pay  anybody?" 

"No." 

"All  go  to  the  public  pile,  do  they?" 

"Yes  sir." 

"Well,  what  do  you  do  with  those  who  are  lazy,  or 
that  won't  contribute  their  share  of  work?' 

"We  have  no  such  people.     No  one  would  stoop  to 
such  disgraceful  conduct." 

•'  Are  you  all  angels.'" 

"Oh,  no;  we  are  only  simple  human  beings." 

"Simple  human  beings,  and  no  taxation ! 
"Why,  my  dear  Comus,  taxes  are  the  evidences  of  sav- 
age life.  The  old  histories  tell  us  how  they  originated  by 
robbing  the  merchants  of  toll  for  passing  into  or 
through  territory  of  the  savage  chiefs.  This  system 
was  only  continued  later  in  what  were  called  civilized 
governments.  Taxation  had  to.  exist  under  the  older 
civilizations,  because  they  paid  the  services  of  officials 
with  money ;  because  they  maintained  navies  and 
armies  to  fight ;  and  because  they  paid  the  producers 
what  was  called  wages,  with  money.  Whoever  got 
hold  of  the  money  could  own  all.  both  production 
and  producers.  We  have  no  money,  and  each  citi- 
zen owns  all  society  has." 

"Does  no  one  take  the  hog's  bite?" 


It?" 


ivho  are  lazy,  or 

>rk?' 

;  would  stijop  to 


n  beings." 
taxation ! 
evidences  of  sav- 
ey  originated  by 
passing  into  or 
1.  This  system 
:  called  civilized 

under  the  older 
rvices  of  officials 
led  navies  and 
id  the  producers 
Whoever  got 
)oth    production 

and   each  citi- 


"No  sir,  no  one  could.  He  could  not  be  big 
enough  hog  to  even  bite  off  his  share." 

"Well,  when  you  want  to  travel,  how  do  you  buy 
your  tickets.'" 

"We  need  none.  Travel  is  free.  We  go  where 
we  wish." 

"Do  you  have  enough  to  satisfy  everyone  without 
quarrelling.'" 

"Yes  sir.  And  are  put  to  our  wits  end  to  invent 
luxuries  and  elegant  improvements  to  use  up  our  sur- 
plus labor  products."  •  ^ 

"And  you  say  that  you  are  not    angels."'" 

"It  is  all  very  simple  if  you  will  just  examine  it  and 
see  for  yourself" 

"This  is  the  office  of  our  General.  His  reception 
will  take  place  in  a  few  minutes." 

The  General  v.'as  a  remarkably  young  man,  not  over 
thirty  years  of  age,  of  a  clean  cut,  intellectual  type, 
who  had  been  advanced  to  this  high  position  on  ac- 
count of  his  superiority  in  executive  skill.  He  listened 
to  the  account  of  the  art'val  ot  Comus  without  evi- 
dence of  surprise,  giving  his  orders  in  formal  manner, 
deliberately  and  clearly,  assigning  Comus  to  one  of 
the  departments.  This  was  no  sooner  uttered  than 
an  assistant  put  n  telephone  to  his  enr  and  stated  tc 
the  General  that  his  order  had  been  received  by  the 
captain  of  the  department,  and  the  gentleman  would 
be  provided  for  when  presented.  The  party  was  then 
dismissed. 

On  leaving  Comus  remarked  to  his  friends  that  the 
General  was  not  so  much  interested  in  his  sudden  in- 


S^.l^  I, 


.^^mmm 


28 


THE  BROTHER." 


troduction  as  they  were.  . 

"Oh  yes,"  replied  Agro,"but  it  is  the  hour  of  bus- 
iness and  nothing  in  the  infernal  regions  would  move 
him  at  this  nioment.  When  he  is  relea,sed  from  duty 
you  will  find  him  as  interested  as  any  of  us." 

"I  have  been  wondering  all  morning  why  your 
horses  and  wagons  do  not  appear;  the  streets  seem  so 
strangely  quiet  that  I  miss  the  din,  noise  and  bustle 
of  city  life." 

"Were  cities  formerly  so  noisy.'" 

"Why  certainly;  rarely  could  you  he  ;r  y^  •»  dgh- 
bor  speak  on  the  streets  and  in  many  places  it  was 
almost  as  difficult  in  the  houses.  The  roar  of  the 
streets  commenced  early  in  the  morning  with  the  sav- 
age whoops  and  yells  of  the  milkmen,  accompanied 
by  bells  and  horns,  to  this  was  added  the  rush. and 
rattle  of  the  elevated  cars  on  the  crude  iron  frame 
work  over  head  and  past  the  windows  of  the  dwellings. 
Then  the  din  of  the  street  cars,  omnibuses,  hucksters' 
wagons,  trucks  and  drays;  organ  grinders,  street 
bands;  and  news  boys.  At  night  until  a  late 
hour,  the  same  racket  went  on,  then  the  iron 
carts  thundered  over  the  stones  collecting  garbage 
till  morning. 

"I  see  that  you  have  no  digging  up  of  the  str<"<!  ■ 
with  its  death  dealing  malaria;  no  telegraph  poles 
and  over  head  wires;  no  shops  with  their  desperate 
merchants;  no  news  stands;  no  boot  b'acks,  pedlars, 
begg-ra  or  tramps;  no  street  girls,  fashionable  women 
or  howling  swells;  no  liveried  footmen;  no  policemen 
with  their  clubs ;  no    missionaries,    street   preachers, 


hour  of  bus- 
would   move 
ied  from  duty 
us." 

g  why  your 
feets  seem  so 
:   and    bustle 


f "fit  )"i  •  cigh- 
laces  it  was 
roar  of  the 
with  the  sav- 
accompanied 
:he  rush. and 
:  iron  frame 
he  dwellings, 
js,  hucksters' 
nders,  street 
until  a  late 
len  the  iron 
ing   garbage 

the  str^e 
:graph  poles 
:ir  desperate 
cks,  pedlars, 
nable  women 
tio  policemen 
;t   preachers, 


.,^ 


"THE  BROTHER. 


salvation    armies,    anti-poverty    meetings,    or   quack 
medicine  advertisements. 

"By  the  way,  have  you  any  strikes.*" 

"No,"  replied  Agro,  "we  are  entirely  free  from  any 
of  those  annoyances  with  which,  we  have  read,  society 
was  affected  in  former  times.  Here  is  the  mausoleum 
to  'The  brother,'  perhaps  you  would  like  to  view 
the  records  ?" 

"With  pleasure." 
The  records  were  all  enclosed  in  glass  cases  handsome- 
ly mounted  and  carved  in  exquisite  manner,  k:pt  here 
as  sacred  relics.  Comus  was  informed  that  he  could 
read  the  entire  work  at  hi'a  leisure.  Each  citizen  had 
a  copy,  which  they  used  as  a  moral  guide,  for  it  de- 
picted the  degradation  that  society  could  fall  into  by  a 
departure  from  the  brotherhood  of  humanity ;  a  fact 
highly  necessary  to  be  kept  before  the  minds  of  the 
ytmng. 

The  decorations  of  the  interior  greatly  attracted 
Comus  ;  these  were  all  in  some  species  of  pottery,  rich- 
ly modelled  and  colored  with  beautiful,  transparent 
enamels,  in  quiet,  refined  tones,  perfectly  harmonious 
in  effect.  This  treatment  of  the  interior  was  so  great 
a  contrast  to  the  paper,  plaster,  glass  and  paint  de- 
corations seen  in  former  times,  that  it  brought  many 
inquiries  from  Comus,  of  the  manufacture  and  develop- 
ment of  the  ceramic  art.  The  choice  embellishments 
on  the  exterior  of  the  buildings,  on  the  walks  and 
(lower  borders,  that  so  attracted  his  attention  through- 
out the  city,  had  already  impressed  him  with  the  idea 
that  the  ceramic  art  had  been  greatly  developed,  but 


*|Sl!*« 


30 


"THE  BROTHER. 


he  was  unprepared  for  such  a  fine  exhibition  as  the 
one  before  him. 

"We  have  many  such  in  our  halls,  theatres  and 
public  institutions,  of  great  variety  of  style,  that  we 
would  be  pleased  to  show  you.  At  the  annual  con- 
vention of  Artists  that  takes  place  in  a  few  days,  you 
will  see  the  most  advanced  eflTorts  of  the  greatest 
minds.  You  should  know  Keramicos,  the  finest  of 
all  the  ceramic  artists,  and  if  it  3uit  your  pleasure  we 
will  this  morning  pay  him  a  visit." 

"That  would  be  most  gratifying,  for  ceramic  is  the 
most  facinating  art  known  among  men."  The  studios 
were  situated  at  the  side  of  the  city,  near  one  of  the 
rivers,  facing  an  open  area  laid  out  in  a  beautiful  cir- 
cular flower  garden,  entirely  surrounded  by  a  tlouble 
row  of  pedestals  of  polished  stone,  broadened  at  the 
base  into  seats  for  resting,  and  mounted  with  gigantic 
vases,  on  which  the  glaze  and  colors  sparkled  in  the 
sunlight,  rivalling  the  natural  bloom  of  the  highly  cul- 
tivated and  tastefully  afranged  plants  in  the  garden. 
Some  of  these  vases  were  modelled  in  sculpturesque 
forms  and  ornaments  decorated  in  modest  color,  others 
as  brilliant  as  the  rainbow.  Many  were  exquisitely 
painted  with  flowers,  conventional  ornaments  and 
figure  subjects. 

The  entire  surroundings  of  the  place  were  sugges- 
tive of  the  art  that  was  carried  on  in  the  neighborhood. 
The  tile  pavement  was  rich  and  velvety  in  the  effect 
of  coloration  that  formed  a  charming  tracery  leading 
the  eye  into  a  mystery  of  design  where  it  was  diflicult 
to  follow.     Brown  shading  into  blood  red  and  rose, 


iliiilMWMI 


.  ':1|-^^ 


bition  as  the 

theatres   and 

5tyle,  that  wc 
annual  con- 

ew  days,  you 
the  greatest 
the  finest  of 

r  pleasure  we 

:eramic  is  the 
The  studios 
ar  one  of  the 
beautiful  err- 
by  a  tlouble 
idened  at  the 
with  gigantic 
arkled  in  the 
he  highly  cul- 
1  the  garden, 
sculpturesque 
t  color,  others 
re  exquisitely 
naments    and 

were  suggcs- 
leighborhood. 
in  the  effect 
acery  leading 
it  was  difficult 
red  and  rose, 


"THE  BROTHER 


3» 


distinctly,  but  softly  edging  the  green  borders  of  the 
leafy  shaded  lawn.  The  studios  facing  the  ga.den 
were  all  exteriorly  decorated  with  richly  panelled 
architecture,  formed  of  tile  softly  colored:  the  divisions 
framed  with  bold  forms  of  pilasters  and  columns  sur- 
mounted with  capitals  supporting  a  huge  entablature 
embellished  by  paintings  of  allegorical  figures,  relieved 
with  a  gold  ground,  colored  in  harmonious  tints  of 
liquid  transparency;  and  the  whole  air  of  tne  place 
around  was  refined  and  inviting  beyond  description. 

Naturally  after  this  feast  of  luxury  one  would  imag- 
ine that  art  had  exhausted  herself  and  further  study 
ofthe  interior  of  the  studios,  could  but  suffer  from  the 
impression  made  upon  the  mind  by  the  exterior 
splendors.  Truly  the  studios  were  simple  enough, 
mural  decoration  being  avoided,  but  the  labors  of  love 
on  which  the  artists  were  engaged  were  marvelous. 
These  were  all  of  the  finest  workmanship  intended  for 
the  convention  as  tests  of  skill.  The  devotees  to  this 
facinating  art  w«.re  absorbed  in  Iheir  work,  paying  no 
att-'ntion  to  the  visitors,  nor  to  what  was  going  on 
around  them.  Some  were  painting  under  glaze,  others 
surrounded  with  chemical  apparatus  and  arrange- 
ments for  grinding,  dissolving,  composing ar'^  weighing 
carefully,  the  materials  for  this  purpose  ;  others,  again 
were  preparing  the  wares  for  the  burning  in  the  kilns, 
placing  them  with  the  greatest  care,  in  cases  formed  of 
clay  to  protect  them  from  the  sudden  flash  ofthe  fire. 
Some  of  the  kilns  were  burning,  the  fire  being  supplied 
by  some  species  of  gas  coming  from  an  invisible  source. 

Keramicos  was  disengaged    at   that   moment,    his 


,;:S3! 


'■^fK(S"?Klf".'^'^ 


it)*k\p  ^  i,^^^  »jxr>iii^^  I 


j^u^Ma..  i^i»£actetJ 


im 


,jA.-t  »-•»,' .»*'<!*-.5.i.,i>!{»ii»t^*',   #\»j; 


32 


Tin:  BROTHER. 


attention  being  only  occasionally  required  by  the 
firing  of  his  kiln,  so  that  the  visitors  were  fortunate 
in  the  time  selected  for  the  introduction. 

Comus  started  at  the  sight  of  this  man.  Kcramicos 
also  gave  signs  ofi  surprise. 

"  You  have  a  marked  Egypto-Hellenic  type  of  face 
and  figure,"  remarked  Comus. 

"  Do  you  think  so.'"  carelessly  replied  Keramicos. 

Comus  avoided  a  reply  by  expressing  his  admira- 
tion of  th^  high  attainments  the  ceramic  art  had 
reached  in  this  civilization. 

"Yes,  none  has  approached  it,  even  in  the  best 
eflforts  of  the  scientific  age  to  which  'The-Brother  '  be- 
longed. Systems  of  working  have  been  changed  and 
better  methods  of  producing  the  body  of  the  material, 
the  vitreous  fluxes  and  colors.  Of  these  former  ages 
had  no  conception  ;  nor  could  they  possibly  be  achiev- 
ed by  their  individual  secret  ways  of  working.  The 
result  you  see  here,  is  the  result  of  co-operation  in 
effort;  every  discovery,  thought  suggested,  or  accidei  t 
is  discussed  in  our  conventions,  where  we  regu'.ar'.y 
consult  together,  and  are  reported  in  our  cerar  lie 
literature ;  so  that  nothing  escapes  without  being  an- 
alysed thoroughly.  Our  only  desire,  under  this  social 
system,  is  the  glory  of  our  civilization  ;  our  only  em- 
ulation is  the  strife  to  contribute  the  best  for  our  art. 
Under  such  conditions  and  impulses  it  is  not  surprising 
that  we  have  achieved  such  glorious  results." 

A  spacious  adjoining  hall,  furnished  with  skylights 
into  which  the  visitors  were  invited,  presented  to  the 
wondering  eyes  of  Comus,  a  luxurious  feast  of  design 


lired  by  the 
ere  fortunate 

Kcramicos 

:  type  of  face 

Ceramicos. 
his  admira- 
mic    art   had 

in  the  best 
•Brother '  be- 
changed  and 
the  material, 
former  ages 
ly  be  achiev- 
>rking.  The 
-operation  in 
i,  or  accidei  t 
we  regular'.y 
our  cerar  lie 
)ut  being  xn- 
ier  this  social 
lur  only  em- 
;  for  our  art. 
>ot  surprising 
Uts." 

ith  skylights 
ented  to  the 
ast  of  design 


"THE  BROTHER.' 


33 


and  coloring  such  as  could  not  possibly  be  anticipated. 
These  were  entirely  paintings  of  large  panels  for  in- 
terior architectural  embellishment.  Many  were  of 
gigantic  size.  The  designs  were  mostly  of  single 
figures  or  groups ;  a  few  were  of  delicious  ornament 
enlivened  by  cherubs,  birds  and  flowers.  Two  co- 
lossal panels,  painted  in  gray  and  rose,  upon  a  light 
water  green  ground,  stood  immediately  in  front  of  the 
entrance,  representing  "Truth  and  Justice."  The  com- 
positions and  color  effect  were  broad  and  simple  giving 
an  inexplicable  charm  that  riveted  the  attention,  and 
filled  the  observers  with  a  sense  of  pleasure. 

The  crowning  glory  of  these  works  was  a  set  of 
four  panels,  each  forty  feet  long  and  ten  feet  in  height, 
intended  as  a  mural  decoration  for  the  principal  public 
palace  of  the  city,  containing  innumerable  figures 
tastefully  grouped,  posed  and  painted  in  full  palette 
of  color.  Art  here  had  given  herself  full  play  in  all 
her  resources.  Imagination  with  ample  wings,  had 
taken  her  loftiest  flights  of  fancy.  Beautiful  thought 
had  given  her  sweetest  s  niles,  that  spoke  to  the  soul 
of  the  observer  in  charming  design,  tasteful  form  and 
glowing  color,  surpassing  nature's  choicest  efforts,  pre- 
senting a  scene  of  enchantment  that  ravished  the 
mind  with  delight. 

The  subject  of  this  ma.ster  work  was  "  The  Spirit  of 
'The  Brother.'"  It  typified  the  goodness  of  the  sublime 
founder  of  their  civilization,  as  represented  by  the 
happiness  of  the  people.  Each  panel  portrayed  its 
■«oecial  subject ;  intellectual,  scientific,  industrial  and 
physical  happiness,  rendered  with  all  the  beauty  the 


\,smi&^^m,^ikM^: 


m 


34 


THE  BROTHER. 


i.ntrammelled  imagination  of  this  blissful  u^^e,  could 
give,  assisted  by  the  perfections  of  skill  that  far  more 
than  satisfied  ihe  critical  tastes  of  a  divinely  cultured 
people. 

In  silence,  Comus  viewed  this  marvelous  work  of 
man.  The  deep  breathing  of  the  chest  and  the  sparkle 
of  the  eye,  showed  the  pleasure  of  the  excited  mind 
within.  Keramicos  and  his  friends  quietly  observed 
his  movements,  as  he  passed  around  from  panel  to 
panel,  enjoying  the  lovely  ideals  in  every  part,  fre- 
quently moving  clo.ser  to  inspect  the  workmanship 
that  evidently  satisfied  his  thoughts. 

At  length  he  turned  to  Keramicos  and  uttered  the 
single  word  "incredible."  Then  falling  into  a  reverie 
he  stood  as  though  revolving  in  his  mind,  the  memo- 
ries brought  up  by  the  delicious  excitement  the  as- 
tounding wealth  of  art  before  him  produced. 

The  friends  respectfully  remained  silent,  also  im- 
pressed by  the  solemnity  of  his  appearance ;  at  last 
the  merriment  began  to  twinkle  in  his  eyes,  the  smile 
played  round  his  mouth  and  a  low  chuckle  commenced 
that  ended  in  laughter. 

The  company  and  the  artist  were  aKtcnishcd,  for 
the  transition  was  beyond  their  comprehension.  When 
he  recovered  his  breath  he  said  :  "I  was  recalling  the 
works  in  ceramics  that  I  had  seen  in-  different  ages, 
and  before  my  mind  arose  some  of  the  idiotic  trash 
that  formerly  received  prize  medals  at  the  exhibitions. 
I  can  see  yet  the  airs  of  the  conceited  potters,  bragging 
about  their  secrets,"  and  Comus  laughed  and  chuckled 
at  the  ridiculousness  of  his  recollections. 


'.j;6^;ifa'Mj^j?i  jiSft'teTKK*  *■ 


isful  age,  could 
I  that  far  more 
I'inely  cultured 

clous  work  of 
ind  the  sparkle 

excited  mind 
ietly  observed 
from  panel  to 
ery   part,   fre- 

workmanship 

nd  uttered  the 
;  into  a  reverie 
id,  the  memo- 
tement  the  as- 
uced. 

lent,  also  im- 
irance ;  at  last 
:yes,  the  smile 
le  commenced 

istcnished,  for 
ension.  When 
;  recalling  the 
different  ages, 
e  idiotic  trash 
he  exhibitions. 
:ters,  bragging 
and  chuckled 


"THE  BROTHKK. 


35 


"You  say,  'that  you  had  seen  it>  other  ages,' I  do 
not  understand  you." 

"You  have  not  heard  of  Comus'  strange  introduc- 
tion to  us  last  evening,  nor  of  the  singular  country  he 
came  from,"  said  Helena.  "Comus  is  the  individual 
whom  Jupiter  bani.nhed  and  he  informs  us  that  he  had 
been  enjoying  the  company  of  some  of  his  nineteenth 
century  acquaintances,  in  the  infernal  regions,  until 
his  merriment  at  their  expense,  became  too  great  for 
his  Satanic  majesty,  who  gave  him  a  somewhat  violent 
dismissal.  lassure  you,  Keramicos,  he  came  tumbling 
among  us  from  a  streak  of  red  sparks  in  the  air,  or 
else  we  are  all  demented  and  cannot  believe  our  eye- 
sight. It  is  certain  that  he  does  not  belong  to  our 
country,  wherever  he  came  from.  Indeed,  it  was 
amuring,  but  we  felt  serious  over  it  too." 

It  was  now  Keramicos  turn  to  become  thoughtful- 
He  looked  at  Comus  as  though  he  would  penetrate 
his  inmost  soul.  "  Whatever  you  may  be,  or  wherever 
you  came  from,  we  welcome  you  to  the  joy  of  our 
happy  human  existence,"  said  he. 

"Thanks,"  replied  Comus.  "It  is  worth  ages  of 
suffering  to,  at  last,  realize  that  man  is  fulfilling  in- 
telligently his  destiny.  From  the  crude  state  of  past 
ages,  I  should  think,  from  what  I  have  seen  here  in 
your  perfect  city,  that  his  evolution  had  reached  its 
highest  point. 

"We  cannot  say  what  are  his  possibilities,"  replied" 
Keramicos. 


Irf  «>^  o-    JV^  J't^^T'T 


IpmOT 


M 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE  WORKSHOPS.    KERAMICOS'  LOVE  AND  .SECRET. 


After  regretfully  leaving  Keramicos  and  his  lovely 
art  treasures,  that  portrayed  so  cntrancingly  his  own 
sweet  soul  in  the  skillful  pictures  of  imzorin.ation  by 
which  he  made  visible  "The  Spirit  of  The  Brother, "  in 
artistic  forms  and  color  representing  happy  humanity, 
they  entered  a  domed  structure  and  descending  a  stair- 
way, passed  into  a  huge  car  that  nearly  filled  the  clean, 
smooth  subway.  The  car  was  elliptical  in  form  ;  the 
lower  part  devoted  to  passengers :  an  upper  chamber 
Cuiicained  some  ethereal  gas  to  render  it  buoyant,  so 
that  it  floated  in  the  air,  guided  by  projecting  wheels 
that  touched  the  flanges  on  the  sides  of  the  subway, 
preventing  rolling  motion.  The  shell,  as  well  as  the 
machinery,  was  extremely  light,  being  composed  of 
Aluminum.  The  seats  were  of  light  wood  ;  and  the 
interior  was  lined  with  a  delicate  silk-like  fabric  ;  brill- 
iant lights,  like  the  electric,  illuminated  the  interior 
and  subway.  A  slight  whirring  sound  was  ^eard  as 
the  car  flew  on  its  way  at  the  speed  of  a  biro,  resting 
at  the  pretty  underground  stations  to  let  off,  or  take 
,  on,  passengers.  The  stopping  of  the  car  from  its  rap- 


lND  skcret. 

iDd  his  lovely 
ingly  his  own 
nscrination  by 
e  Brother,"  in 
jpy  humanity, 
jnding  a  stair- 
lied  the  clean, 
il  in  form  ;  the 
)per  chamber 
it  buoyant,  so 
ecting  wheels 

the  subway, 
as  well  as  the 

composed  of 

/ood ;  and  the 

e  fabric  ;  brill - 

:d  the  interior 

was  Seard  as 

biro,  resting 
:t  off,    or  take 

from  its  rap- 


'THl  BHOTIfKR. 


37 


Id  flight  was  easy  and  without  jar.  In  a  few  minutes 
Comus  and  his  friends  emerged  from  a  station  and  en- 
tered the  immense,  continuous  buildings,  where  the  in- 
dustrial operations  were  carried  on.  Hlock  after  block 
of  these  works  ran  the  entire  length  of  the  city,  fronted 
on  both  sides  by  parked  spaces  handsomely  planted 
with  trees,  giving  cool,  fresh  air  to  the  workers  in  the 
factories.  On  one  side  of  the  park  was  the  fretted 
line  of  boat  houses,  seen  from  the  belvidcre  of  "The 
Brother's"  mausoleum,  by  moonlight. 

Comus  and  his  friends  passtid  from  building  to 
building,  viewing  the  various  occupations  that  were 
carried  on  in  these  busy  hives  of  industry,  cnchant- 
ingly  described  and  explained  by  Helena  who,  in 
pre:  sncc  of  the  industrial  arts  suddenly  developed  a 
soul  absorbing  interest  that  revealed  itself  in  eloquent 
language,  bordering  on  the  sublime.  Systenri,  order, 
perfection  of  skill,  intelligence,  health  and  happiness, 
were  visible  everywhere.  For  a  moment  a  cloud  came 
over  the  brow  of  Comus  as  memory  brought  the  re- 
collections of  former  times.  Before  his  mental  vision 
arose  the  ghastly  forms,  whose  sunken  eyes,  pallid, 
consumptive  faces,  crooked  and  emaciated  bodies, 
flitted  in  multitudes  down  the  long  list  of  ages.  Myriads 
massacred  by  excessive  toil,  insuflficitnt  clothing,  nour- 
ishment and  shelter;  by  the  savage  vices  that  spring 
from  want,  ending  in  murder  or  scuicide.  Before  his 
vision  flitted  the  stOny  indifference  of  the  non-working 
class,  with  their  still  worse  luxurious  vices  and  crimes, 
living  and  revelling  in  splendor,  on  the  soul  and  body- 
destroying  toil  of  their  fellows.     The  idle  portion  of 


i 


PWP^iiiliifi 


if" 


38 


THK  HKOTHEK.' 


l»V. 


/Society,  traniimitting  to  posterity  the  intctviificd  vices 
of  meannesH  and  luxurious  disease.  The  overtaxed 
toilers  transmitting  the  consumptive  tendencies  that 
spring  from  poor  nourishment  and  excessive  strain. 
From  imperfect  mothers  of  both  classes,  crime  or 
want  was  the  only  inheritance  of  innocent  babes. 

But  this  happy  day  with  alUts  cheerful  surroundings 
was  not  the  time  for  gloomy  thoughts,  and  by  a  power- 
ful effort,  Comus  shook  off  the  ghastly  vision,  assisted 
gready  by  the  sweet  music  of  Helena's  voice,  who, 
during  his  change  of  countenance,  redoubled  her  ef- 
forts in  his  entertainment ;  picturing  to  him,  again 
and  again,  tho  pleasures  and  delights  of  the  indus- 
trial army  in  which  all  were  included,  at  '  the  wonders 
of  skill,  that  brought  ever  increasing  '  cal  and  in- 
tellectual development.  The  records  o.  ...e  Brother" 
had  suggested,  that  when  the  entire  population  was 
engaged  industrially,  feeling  a  common  security,  the 
meanness  and  crimes  arising  from  competition  and 
greed,  would  disappear  by  the  influence  of  associaiion, 
and  the  way  would  be  opened  for  man's  proper  de- 
velopment. "  With  us,"  said  Helena,  "this  has  been 
fully  realized." 

Emerging  from  the  work  shops  in  the  industrial 
section,  a  short  walk,  brought  the  company  to  the 
historical  museum,  where  Comus  was  a.stonished  to 
find  many  of  the  barbarous  statues  and  carvings  that 
formerly  ornamented  the  City  and  Park  of  New  York. 
Many  busts  found  beneath  the  ruins  of  private  dwell- 
ings, were  named  and  labelled  according  to  his  di- 
rections, the  historians  kept   constantly  in  a  roar  of 


tcivsificd  vices 
'he  overtaxed 
^ndencics  that 
cessive  strain, 
ses,  crime  or 
:nt  babes. 
I  surroundlnji^s 
nd  by  a  powcr- 
/iaion,  assisted 
s  voice,  who, 
aublcd  her  cf- 
0  him,  again 
of  the    indus- 

'  the  wonders 
cal  and  in- 

...e  Hrother" 
Kipulation  was 
i  security,  the 
m petition  and 
of  association, 
I's  proper  dt- 
this  has  been 

the   industrial 
iipany  to   the 
astonished  to 
carvings  that 
of  New  York, 
private  dwell- 
ing to  -his  di- 
f  in  a  roar  of 


"THK  llROTIir.k 


laughter  at  the  endless  stories  of  the  originals,  who 
figured  in  their  day  as  politicians,  boodlera,  commer- 
cial sharpers,  and  peddlers  of  superstition. 

One  of  the  most  amusing  incidents  of  this  visit,  was 
developed  from  the  historian's  inquiry,  in  regard  to  the 
statues  and  monuments  the  Nineteenth  century  people 
built  to  their  famous  mechanics,  scientists  and  scholars. 
The  humor  of  this  question  was  entirely  too  much  for 
Comus,  who  electrified  the  company  by  his  laughter. 
When  he  had  sufficiently  recovered  himself  to  speak, 
the  historian  was  informed,  that  such  things  were 
never  for  a  moment  thought  of,  in  those  days.  Statues 
and  monuments  were  only  erected  to  mo.iey  dealers, 
politicians,  priests,  and  fighters. 

Helena  and  Agro  were  amply  repaid  for  the  morn- 
itig  efforts  to  entertain  Comus,  by  the  amusement 
furnished  at  the  museum,  that  sent  them  home  with 
aching  sides.  Scarcely  had  Comus  returned  when  a 
message  was  received  from  the  museum,  asking  a 
further  interview  during  the  evening,  to  which  Comus 
assented  with  pleasure.  When  the  historian  arrived 
he  informed  Comus,  that  he  wished  to  obtain  an  in- 
timate account  of  the  actual  state  of  society  of  the 
Ninct  enth  century,  at  the  time  of  "The  Brother's" 
life,  so  as  to  .study  the  causes  that  led  to  the  sudden 
descent  from  so  active  a  social  condition,  to  the  sav- 
age state.  Comus  looked  uncertain  as  to  his  reply  ; 
finally  requesting  the  historian  to  remain  and  rest 
himself  until  his  return.  He  sallied  once  more  out  into 
the  night  thoughtfully  wandering  he  knew  not  whith- 
er.    Stopping  at   length    to  view  the  effect  of  moon- 


"THE  BROTHER. 


light  and  shadow,  that  fell  in  weird  tracery  upon  the 
lawn  of  a  small  park,  he  recognised  by  a  sparkling 
vase  surmounting  the  pedestal  against  which  he  was 
leaning,  that  he  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Keramicos' 
studio. 

Opening  the  door  he  entered  and  turned  into  the 
large  apa:  tment,  where  he  had  seen  the  ceramic  paint- 
ings of  "  The  Spirit  of  'The  Brother,'"  and  the  panels 
of  "Truth  and  Justice."  A  reddish  light  reflected 
from  the  kiln  in  the  rear,  filled  the  apartment,  ren- 
dering the  paintings  partially  visible.  Keramicos  was 
at  the  kiln  watching  the  fires,  but  not  alone.  A  beau- 
tiful woman  stood  in  front  of  him,  with  both  hands 
resting  upon  his  shoulders  and  looking  imploringly 
into  his  face,  said ;  "Come,  rest  a  while  upon  the  gar- 
den lawn;  the  fragrance  of  the  honey  suckle  and  the 
sound  of  falling  waters,  will  refresh  thy  feverish  brow; 
surely  such  long  and  anxious  watching  of  the  fires 
has  overstrained  thy  nerves :  come,  rest  a  while  upon 
this  spot  and  I  will  sing  to  you,  the  song  you  taught 
me,  of  old  Nikosthenes  of  ancient  days."  The  night 
is  balmy,  and  pale  Cynthia  rides  smoothly  through  the 
clear  air,  throwing  her  mellow  light  in  enchanting 
tracery  of  vine  and  branch  upon  the  flowery  earth. 
A  heavenly  voice  began  to  warble  in  pure,  tones,  and 
Comus,  transfixed,  stood  a  listener  to  the  ancient  song: 

When  eiirth  was  young,  iin'i  infant  art, 

'Neath  leafy  bower,  a  mubing  lay, 
Upon  the  happy  scene  out  spread. 
Where  all  of  life,  was  bright  and  gay. 

The  fragrant  bloom,  of  meadows  sweet. 


s»4^i»,;tea!CSSMMtiiSiaa 


■'sasstfiKs^KiiaiifSi 


racery  upon  the 
by  a  sparkling 
t  which  he  was 
y  of  Keramicos' 

turned  into  the 
le  ceramic  paint- 
'  and  the  panels 

light   reflected 
ipartment,    ren- 

Keramicos  was 
;  alone.  A  beau- 
fjth  both  hands 
ing  imploringly 
le  upon  the  gar- 
suckle  and  the 
y  feverish  brow ; 
tig  of  the  fires 
:st  a  while  upon 
ong  you  taught 
ys."  The  night 
thly  through  the 

in    enchanting 
lowery  earth, 
pure,  tones,  and 
be  ancient  song: 

t  art, 

^ 

I, 

dg»y. 
iweet. 


"THE  BROTHER.  4' 

Full  odored  «ll.  t^e  balmjr  tit- 
And  merry,  laughing,  miktden'8  feet, 
Were  trip'd  with  graceful,  movftments  there. 

The  mellow  UndaoapM.  cooling  light. 

In  atmosphorio  hues  so  fine, 
The  pulse  made  quiok^r,  with  delight, 

And  aense  was  ravished,  v/ith  the  soene. 

Sweet  music  m»t..  by  loving  swain. 

Krom  reedy  pipes,  with  passion  blown. 
His  soul  outbreathing.  with  the  strain. 

Oave  joyous  life  unto  its  tune. 

>'Oti  t  beauty,  life,"  t/or  infant  oried, 
**Thy  movements  graceful,  and  so  free. 

So  transient,  fiseting.  soon  are  sped. ' 
Like  water  forms,  upon  the  sea. 

"Thou  shalt  not  die,  this  baauty  rare, 
ril  mortals  teach,  to  keep  and  eiore. 

These  fleeting  joys,  forever  fair, 
3hall  lost  wil^  man,  for  evermore. 

•'With  earth  I'll  fortn.  these  flowing  linea, 
On  vase  and  cup,  from  potter's  wheel, 

Lifa,  grace,  and  beauty,  of  ri\  times, 
In  clay  and  Rtone.  shall  speak  and  live." 

Your  sweet  voice,  dear  Sappho,  repays  me  for  all 
the  trials  and  fatigue  that  !  hav^*  endured.  The  »en> 
timent  of  the  song,  carries  tne  back  in  imagination  to 
the  great  masters  of  the  ancient  ceramic  world,  whose 
labors  and  skill  have  made  possible,  the  high  achieve- 
ments of  art,  under  thcs  happy  social  srtate;  achieve- 
ments impossible  in  warlike  times,  or  during  the  age 
of  gold  worship.  Here  wa  have,  av  la::*,  realized  the 
dreams  of  art.  Here  the  world  glows  for  us  in  beauty 
oi  form  and  color  created  out  of  her  own  breast  The 
6 


■'»,Ti 


42 


"THE  BROTHER." 


beauty  of  nature  only,  so  intensely  admired  in  former 
times,  was  monstrous  without  her  husband  art.  Now 
everywhere,  industry  has  embellished  the  landscape 
with  structures,  gardens,  walks  artd  ornaments,  de- 
corated with  nature's  own  pigments  beautified  by  fire. 
Life  in  former  ages  existing  on  coarse  food,  in  unsightly 
dwellings,  pursuing  happiness  in  brutalising  ways, 
was  truly  homble."  vim«  & 

"Come!  come!  Keramicos,  yoti  are  fatigued  and 
your  mind  is  drifting  to  sad  reflections.  You  must 
banish  them  and  think  of  the  love  I  bear  you." 

"  Yes,  tis  true  dear  Sapoho,  you  recall  me  to  my 
better  self  Adieu  my  love,  the  Pleiades  are  rising 
and  speak  to  you  the  hour  of  rest.  Sweet  be  thy 
slumbers!  By  dawn  I  shall  have  finished  the  burning 
of  the  kiln.  Great  care  i»  required  with  the  delicate 
colors  upon  the  vases;  I  wish  them  as  perfect  as  pos- 
sible for  the  exhibition  at  the  convention  of  arti  ts. 
There,  I  must  "explain  the  secret  of  producing  them, 
for  they  represent  all  my  Ibest  experience." 

"Adieu,  my  noble  Keramicos.  One  kiss  before  we 
part.  I  shall  rest  with  anxiety  for  your  toil,  through 
the  weary  night,  as  the  stars  pursue  their  tedious  way 
towards  the  west ;  and  wish  that  strength  will  lift  the 
leaden  wings  of  sleep  from  your  watching  eyes.  Until 
the  morning  Kght,  adieu." 

"The  air  seems  Hght  and  the  fire  burns  brightly; 
Let  me  look  at  the  interior  of  the  kiln.  Ah!  that  is 
an  even  melloW  heat.  I  am  confident  the  care  !  have 
bestowed  will  bring  the  results  I  wish.  The  tones  of 
red  running  from  deep  maroon  through  all  shades  to 


•ed  in  former 
id  art.  Now 
lie  landscape 
tiaments,  de- 
tified  by  fire. 
,  in  unsightly 
ilising  ways, 

fatigued    and 
You  must 
'  you." 

me  to  my 
8  are  rising 
weet  be  thy 
1  the  burning 
the  delicate 
irfect  as  pos- 
in  of  artits. 
lucing  them, 

iss  before  we 
toil,  through 
•  tedious  way 
1  will  lift  the 
f  eyes.   Until 

rns  brightly; 
Ah!  that  is 
e  care  !  have 
The  tones  of 
ill  shades  to 


THE  BROTHER. 


43 


delicate  rose,  will  be  the  greatest  range  of  the  chro- 
matic scale  I  have  yet  shown.  And  the  large  vases 
with  the  harmonies  of  delicate  rose  and  light,  blue 
green,  relieved  with  yellows,  browns  and  black,  in 
groups  of  flowing  ornament  over  their  graceful  sides 
will  be  the  greatest  eflfort  of  all  the  ages  of  ceramic 
art.  What  a  joy  will  be  at  the  cultured  feast  of  the 
people !  Truly,  life  is  worth  living  in  this  age,  where 
all  are  happy !  No  longer  are  the  works  of  artists 
shut  up  in  the  private  collections  of  rich  men,  where 
the  starved,  filthy  hordes  of  slaves,  or  worse,  wage 
earners,  could  never  see  them.  Alas !  how  I  grieved, 
regretting  that  Trismegetus  had  imparted  to  me  thci 
secret  of  life,  on  the  banks  of  the  Nile  !  How  many 
ages  were  men  lovers  of  injustice !  How  many  ages 
did  they  bend  their  necks  to  a  slavery  of  their  own 
selfish  kind,  whom  they  called  honorable  and  noble  ! 
Then,  too,  their  superstitions  absorbed  the  last  rem- 
nant of  their  subsistence.  What  scenes  of  human 
horror  have  those  bright  planets,  .<;'  ning  with  such 
splendor  to  night,  witnessed,  as  from  age  to  age,  the 
hordes  of  men  toiled  on,  until  passion  stirred  from 
want  and  hopeless  misery,  incited  the  wholesale 
slaughter  of  nations,  which,  satiated  with  blood,  sub- 
sided again  to  servile  toil  and  social  crime,  to  be 
succeeded  by  renewed  slaughter  of  their  brothers ! 
I  wonder  why  my  thoughts  run  back  over  those  dread- 
ful ages,  tonight!  It  is  surely  fs-tigue  from  the  long 
stretch  of  study!  Two  days'  rest  in  the  company  of 
the  charming  Sappho,  the  only  woman  I  ever  truly 
loved,  will  restore  my  jaded  spirits ;  then  the  kiln  can 


aimffiMaiMiiiiiifilMI 


BIS 


44 


'THE  BROTHER." 


be  opened  and  the  work  taken  to  the  exhibition. 
Anxiety  has  doubtless  banished  from  her  eyes  the 
balmy  sleep.  With  dream-like  gaze  into  the  darkness 
of  night,  her  thoughts  are  where  the  monotonous  roar 
of  the  kiln  strangely  contrasts  the  music  of  natnre's 
life  of  the  night." 

Comus  refrained  from  disturbing  Keramicos  in  his 
musings  aloud;  remaining  unobserved  in  the  shadow 
of  the  room  containing  the  art  treasures.  Suddenly, 
Keramicos  started,  exclaiming:  "Ah!  how  agitated 
I  feel !  What  is  that,  Spirit  of  Ceramic,  art  thou  come!" 

"I  am  come,  Keramicos,  for  thou  needest  my  as- 
sistance. Change  the  drafts  in  thy  kiln  at  once !  A 
rapid  current  in  the  upper  air  will  work  thee  ill. 
There,  noble  youth,  that  will  do !  Now,  let  the  outer 
air  sweeten  the  upper  fire !  See,  the  gases  are  color- 
ing. Now  draw  your  test:  of  glaze  and  color,  quickly ! 
well  done  !  Put  the  glowing  *piece  upon  this  shard  ! 
by  the  fire's  light  I  see  it  is  nicely  flown.  There  now, 
see  the  rose  tints  will  be  developed  by  the  time  you 
draw  your  fires.  Ah  i  the  blistering  heat !  Take  care, 
do  not  be  rash  !  There,  now  rest!  The  oxygen  will  doits 
work  well  at  this  temperature,  and  your  choicest  gems 
of  workmanship  are  safe.  That  is  well.  I  have  been 
near  you,  but  must  watch  others  who  need  my  invisible 
guidance.     A  word  before  I  go." 

"Awful  Spirit,  I  attend  thy  bidding!" 

"  Listen,  Keramicos  ;  thy  destiny  is  achieved  ;  thy 
work  13  accomplished.  After  this  generation  thy 
youth  will  not  be  renewed.  Thou  shalt  now  lead  a 
happy  human  life.     For  thy  devotion,  toil  and  sorrow, 


....,«^a'yj^i}»«g]ii»A'!Miigpi> 


"THE  BROTHEK. 


45 


e  exhibition, 
ler  eyes  the 
the  darkness 
lotonous  roar 
c  of  natnre's 

imicos  in  his 
1  the  shadow 
.  Suddenly, 
how  agitated 
t  thou  come!" 
:dest  my  as- 
at  once !  A 
ork  thee  ill. 
let  the  outer 
ies  are  color- 
)lor,  quickly! 
•n  this  shard ! 

There  now, 
the  time  you 
!  Take  care, 
g^en  will  doits 
hoicest  gems 

I  have  been 
j  my  invisible 


:hieved  ;    thy 

neration    thy 

now   lead  a 

1  and  sorrow, 


through  the  ages,  your  human  life  shall  be  *a  happy 
one.  The  lovely  Sappho  shall  be  thy  wife ;  thou  shalt 
have  a  son  like  thyself  w..>  will  succeed  thee,  and  fo.- 
whom  I  shall  care.  His  work  will  be  famous,  and 
bring  great  joy  to  the  world.  Thou  shalt  see  it  before 
feeble  age  sets  in,  and  thine  eyes  shall  close  in  peace. 
Give  thyself  entirely  to  the  happiness  of  Sappho,  using 
thine  art  only  for  pleasure.  The  instructions  to  the 
artists  at  the  convention,  will  complete  thy  principal 
labors  in  the  ceramic  art.  Farewell!  Farewell! 
Farewell !" 

"  He  is  gone !  Vanished  into  air !  Great  spirit  and 
guide,  farewell !" 

Keramicos  .sat  down,  covering  his  face  with  both 
hands,  as  though  in  grief,  when  Comus  approached, 
with  kindly  greeting. 

"  I  have  been  an  unintentional  witness  of  the  scene 
just  passed,"  said  Comus. 

"  You  know  my  secret,  then  > 

"Yes,"  said  Comus.  "I  know  all.  I  knew  you, 
Keramicos,  when  we  first  met.  Your  secret  is  safe 
with  me,  if  you  wish  it  so.  But  I  have  other  business 
with  you  now.  The  historian  is  at  Agro's  house  a- 
waiting  my  return. "  He  wishes  an  account  of  the 
state  of  society  m  Nineteenth  century  times,  preceding 
its  destruction.  Will  you  advise  me  how  to  present 
it  to  him  ?" 

"Call  up  the  spirit  of  Edward  Pureheart." 


w 


CHAPTER   IV 


THE  SPIRIT  OF  EDWARD  PUREHEART  AND  HIS 
ACCOUNT  OF  THE   NINETEENTH  CENTURY. 

When  Cotnus  returned  to  Agro's  house,  he  found 
the  historian  lying  on  a  couch,  reading  the  printed 
edition  of  the  records  of  "The  Brother."  It  was  near 
niidnight.  An  anxious  inquiring  look  at  Comus,  spoke 
the  thoughts  agitating  his  mind. 

Remaining  sil-nt  for  a  time,  he  asked  the  historian 
if  he  understood  astrology. 

"Oh,  ye.s,"  he  replied,  "I  have  a  special  love  for 
the  science,  for  I  was  born  while  the  planet  Venus 
was  in  the  mid-heaven  and  am  considered  a  clear 
reader  of  the  scheme  of  the  heavens.  The  works  of 
Cladius  Ptolomey,  as  well  as  those  of  Ramsey  and 
grand  old  Zadkiel,  have  furnished  me  the  means  of 
reading  far  back  \n  the  ages,  and  of  constructing  a 
comparative  history  of  mankind,  v  ,h  the  precession 
of  the  equinoxes  and  the  change  o>  the  constellations. 
It  would  afford  me  great  pleasure  to  have  you  look 
over  my  work,  and  see  how  I  have  shown  the  charac- 
ter of  the  different  times,  and  the  nature  of  the  wor- 
ship of  mankind,  together  with  the  change  of  mythology 
as  the  sun  occupied  the  different  signs  durmg  its  re- 


THE  BROTHER. 


47 


T  AND  HIS 
ENTURY. 

use,    he   found 

g   the   printed 

"     It  was  near 

Conmus,  spoke 

d  the  historian 

jecial  love  for 
planet  Venus 
dered  a  clear 
The  works  of 
Ramsey  and 
the  means  of 
constructing  a 
;he  precession 
constellations, 
ave  you  look 
vn  the  charac- 
5  of  the  wor- 
e  of  mythology 
dunng  its  re- 


trogradation.     I  have  largely  shown  the  connection 
between  the  Sun  in  Taurus  and   the   worship   of  the 
Bull  and  Venus  who  rules  that  sign,  together  with  all 
the  mysteries  of  hor  rites  and  cererrtonies.  This  taken 
in  connection  with  the   fixed   stars  then   In   Taurus, 
easily  explains  all  the  philosophy,  poetry  and  beauty 
of  the  worshipin  that  remote  period.     The  next  thous- 
and years  during  the   passage   of  the  Sun   through 
Aries  give  the  result,  seen  in  history,   of  the  symbol 
of  the  Ram  in  religious  rites,  and  the  nurtial  nature  of 
m?nkind,  during  that  period.     This  finally  found;  its 
symbol  in  the  Lamb  of  peace,  as  the  Sun  approached 
the  latter  part  of  that  sign ;  when  upon  entering  Pisces 
during  the  dark  ages,  mankind  gave  itself  up  to  sop- 
erstltion,  taking  as  its  guide  the  fisherman.     The  Sun 
retrograding  into  the  scientific  sign  Aquarius,  brought 
forward  the  age  of  science,  with  its  rapid  development 
and  powerful  forces  that,  taken  in  connectten  with  the 
defects  ot  unequal  social  conditions  among  mankind, 
increased  so  greatly,  the  wealth  of  the  class  who  got 
control  of  these  forces,  and  so  correspondingly  great, 
the  poverty  of  the  masses,  that  the  natural  result  was 
the  crash   that  swept  away  civHization   altogether. 
And  so  I  have  run  back  into  the  ages  in  a  speculative 
manner,  beyond  the  period  of  history,  and  again  for- 
ward into  the  World's  probable  destiny.     This  study 
has  expanded  my  views  of  mankind,  its  relation  to  this 
earth  and  environment  of  the  heavens,  more  than  any 
of  the  sciences  we  have  developed." 
"Where  did  you  find  the  works  of  the  master  Astrol- 
ogers.'" inquired  Comus. 


.r 


•  !<r':S'm^\i^iU^:x,-^'^f;'^'' 


.il^i^^i'^"^'..-:  ^-.  >'^i^^-*'W>'"'"Art'-5!ioj«  ■< 


■'>i-:'A-:.-.»l^-=;ii-'->'"i^ 


48 


"THE  BROTHER." 


"Our  fathers  brought  them  from  New  Zv  aland.  A 
skilled  reader  of  the  heavens  guided  the  expedition 
and  the  establishment  of  the  colony.  I  have  in  the 
museum  many  of  his  writings.  His  figures  of  the 
heavens  and  calculations,  I  have  gone  over  and  veri- 
fied as  wonderfully  exact.  They  are  interesting  and 
useful  in  showing  the  influences  of  the  times  immedi- 
ately preceding  the  period  when  our  fathers  lost  trace  of 
the  world's  doings.  But  I  am  occupying  too  much 
time  in  this  explanation." 

"It  is  quite  appropriate  and  fortunate,"  replied 
Comua.  "This  study  by  enlarging  your  views  of  the 
arena  of  nature^  will  assist  your  appreciation  of  what 
I  am  about  to  propose  to  you,  in  order  that  you  may 
have  a  direct  answer  to  your  wish ;  to  know  the  nature 
of  the  times  preceding  the  destruction  of  civilization  in 
the  Nineteenth  century.      Are  you  afraid  of  spirits  .'" 

"I  cannot  say." 

"  Arc  you  willing  to  undergo  th«  test?" 

An  affirmative  reply  followed  a  somewhat  deliber- 
ative silence. 

Placing  a  table  in  f^-ont  of  the  historian  well  pro- 
vided with  writing  materials,  Comus  turned  out  the 
light,  leaving  the  room  intensely  dark.  It  was  not 
without  feelings  akin  to  fear  that  the  historian  main- 
tained the  commanded  silence,  while  Comus  performed 
a  terrorizing  incantation  scene,  in  the  surrounding 
darkness.  Strange  swishing  sounds,  accompanied  with 
knocks  and  raps  on  the  walls  and  furniture,  brought 
an  uncontrollable  tremor  to  his  knees.  The  noises 
continued  giowing  more  confused   and   intense,   still 


.js««ste»teg?*i-*4%* 


K3uE)S<«s_nr' w 


■'<   '?;i»;«a-': 


Zv  aland.     A 
le   expedition 

have  in  the 
gures  of  the 
ver  and  ver«- 
teresting  and 
mes  immedt- 
rs  lost  trace  of 
ig   too  much 

late,"  replied 
r  views  of  the 
iation  of  what 
:hat  you  may 
low  the  nature 
ctviH2,attoh  in 
i  of  spirits  ?" 


what  deliber- 

an  well  pro- 
irned  out  the 
It  was  not 
storian  main- 
[)us  performed 
:  surrounding 
mpanied  with 
ture,  brought 
The  noises 
intense,   ^till 


"THK  HUOTIIKR. 


49 


Comus  maintained  his  performances  without  speaking. 
The  objects  in  the  room  flying  about,  frequently  touch- 
ing the  historian,  some  sliding  with  spasmodic  motion 
over  his  body,  face  and  hands,  while  with  shoulders 
drawn  up  and  gasping  for  breath  he  shook  with  terror. 
For  a  moment  the  noise  ceased,  when  a  suddl-n  rattle 
of  raps  was  heard. 

"Is  this  the  spirit  of  Edward  Pureheart.'"  demanded 
Comus. 

A  .single  rap  answered,  "yes." 

The  wish  of  the  hi.storian  was  announced  and  an 
account  requested  of  social  conditions  during  the 
period  the  spirit  dwelt  in  the  flesh. 

/\  pause  ensued.  Again  the  afRrmative  rap  was  heard. 
A  faint  blue  halo  of  light  began  to  form  in  front  of 
the  table,  in  the  centre  of  which  was  a  dark  object. 
The  halo  gradually  grew  stronger  revealing  a  hand- 
some man  of  about  fifty  five,  with  grey  hair,  and  a 
face  of  remarkable  intelligence.  He  was  in  a  sitting 
attitude,  his  head  leaning  upon  his  hand,  and  with  eyes 
cast  downward,  in  a  thoughtful  manner. 

A  never  failing  pen  moved  into  the  hand  of  the 
historian,  which  began  to  fly  noiselessly  over  the 
paper  before  him,  with  lightning  rapidity.  Not  a 
sound  was  uttered,  and  the  deep  breathing  of  the 
terror  inspired  historian  gradually  subsided  to  mdWer- 
ate  regularity.   ■ 

The  account  Legan  as  follows  :   "On  the  night  before 

'  the  Centennial  of  Washington's  inaugural  at  New  York 

in  1889,  I  was  standing  on  the  battery,  gazing  out  oh 

the  world  famous  bay.     Heavy  clouds   were   drifting 

7 


m^^mmm^m^m^ 


^ 


"Mi 


DWARl) 


to  the  north-east,  the  wind  havinjj  changed,  relieving 
lis  from  the  discomfort  of  several  days  pouring  rain. 
Some  mist  and  fog  still  hung  over  the  water,  obscur- 
in^j  a  distinct  view  of  the  ocean  racers,  as  they  came 
and  went,  l.iden  with  labor's  treasures  to  anc!  from 
strange  lands  far  away.  The  police,  revenue,  ferry 
and  river  boats;  the  busy  tugs,  pilots,  and  sailing  ves- 
sels with  their  dancinp  ipnal  lights,  flitted  here  and 
there,  and  like  the  movements  of  human  life  upon  the 
sea  of  action,  came  out  or  faded  into  the  rising    mist. 

"The  light  houses  at  the  narrows  were  not  visible. 
Uedloe's  island  and  the  base  of  the  monster  Statue  of 
Liberty  were  obscured,  but  the  shoulders,  head,  raised 
arm  and  the  huge  electric  light,  stood  far  up  in  the 
sky;  liberty,  like  the  <tar  spangled  banner,  was  still 
there,  not  seen  -through  the  dawn's  early  light,"  but 
through  the  darkening  mists,  that  had  survived  the 
blackness  of  the  storm,  faintly,  shadowy,  assuming 
form  and  outline,  as  though  giving  promise  of  her 
smile  upon  the  new  century  that  would  be  inaugurated 
in  a  few  hours.  The  place  w  as  lonely,  for  the  teeming 
myriads  of  exchangers  were  gone  from  the  busy  haunts 
to  their  homes  across  the  rivers,  to  the  up  town  res- 
idences, or  far  out  on  the  railroads.  A  moody  condition 
iilmind  had  seized  me,  brought  on.  doubtless,  by  the 
disappointments  of  deferred  business  and  the  con- 
sequent postponement  of  my  marriage  with  the  charm- 
ing daughter  of  a  wealthy  iroad  director,  who  viewed 
my  financial  situation  unfavorably. 

"The  buildings  everywhere  were  covered  with  flags 
and  decorations.     Across  the  streets  suspended  bunt- 


mmmm 


\  f 


53 


"TffK  HROTIIKK." 


ting  and  banners  obscured  the  view.  Gigantic  portraits 
of  Washington  and  Harri.Hon  could  be  partially  dis- 
tinguished by  the  scattered  light  of  the  street  lamps. 
From  my  musings  in  this  periodically  silent  place,  I 
was  suddenly  startled  by  observing  two  men  standing 
before  me,  the  tallest  of  whom  addressed  me  assur- 
ingly.  Some  of  the  participants  in  the  coming  Centen- 
nial festivities  had  arrived  in  the  city  who,  together 
with  the  pictures  profusely  displayed  in  the  bazars 
and  street  decorations,  had  familiarized  me  with  the 
costumes  of  continental  times,  so  that  the  fact  of  these 
two  men  being  in  blue  and  buckskin  with  cocked  hats 
and  powdered  wigs,  did  not  seem  so  strange  as  it 
otherwise  might  have  done.  I  was  much  impressed 
by  their  dignified  bearing  and  manner,  in  which  I 
could  trace  no  familiarity,  insincerity,  or  the  self  as- 
sured stiffness  so  peculiar  to  the  mass  of  people  in  the 
city. 

'"You  are  evidently  strangers  and  have  doubtless 
wandered  lik  myself  to  this  deserted  business  place 
unwittinj  '.  You,  from  curiosity,  and  I  to  escape  the 
uncongenial  crowd.  Should  you  desire  to  return  I 
will  be  pleased  to  accompany  you.  Pardon  me  sir,' 
I  said  to  the  tall  gentleman,  'your  resemblance  to  the 
pictures  of  the  father  of  our  country  is  .10  striking  that 
I  should  judge  you  to  be  one  of  Washington's  descend- 
ants, who  are  to  be  present  at  the  ceremonies  during 
the  next  three  days.  And  this  other  g'.ulleman  bears 
also  a  striking  likeness  to  the  portraits  of  Jefferson,  the 
author  of  the  glorious  declaration  of  independence.' 
A  courtly  bow  from  both  was  the  only  reply. 


«SS-^^SSK:; 


intic  purtraitM 
partially  tlis- 
strc'ct  lamps, 
ilcnt  place,  I 
men  .standing 
ed  me  as.sur- 
ming  Centcn- 
'ho,    together 

the  bazars 
mc  with  the 
e  fact  of  these 
h  cocked  hats 
itrange  as  it 
ch    impressed 

in    which    I 

the    self  as- 

■  {Hjoplc  in  the 

ive  doubtless 
usiness  place 
to  escape  the 
to  return  I 
rdon  me  »ir,' 
iblance  to  the 
)  striking  that 
;on's  descend- 
lonies  during 
illeman  bears 
Jefferson,  the 
jpendcnce.' 


"THE  BROTHER. 


53 


"Guided  by  some  strange  impulse,  I  was  led  toward 
the  deserted  district  where  the  inaugural  took  place 
one  hundred  years  before.  Naturally  I  would  not  ac- 
company two  strangers  into  such  a  place  at  so  late  an 
hour,  but  an  iney.plicable  fascination  had  seized  me 
that  made  me  desire  their  company  ;  a  feeling  that  had 
wonderfully  (juickened  my  senses,  making  me  a.s  one 
with  thes'j  strange,  calm,  dignified  beings,  who  ap- 
|)eared  to  belong  to  another  age,  or  another  world. 

"'How  all  is  changed,'  said  the  younger  man. 

"'Wonderfully.'  replied  the  elder. 

"We  turned  away  towards  the  East  river,  passing 
through  long  streets  walled  in  by  interminable  ware- 
houses ,  finally  emerging  in  front  of  a  forest  of  steam- 
boats and  ships,  sleeping  in  the  endless  line  of  docks. 
Abc'e  us  the  graceful  lines  of  the  wondrous  Hrooklyn 
bridge  were  clearly  visible,  as  it  hung  from  the  granite 
towers,  suspended  in  the  sky.  Returning  we  viewed 
the  grand  offices  where  are  produced  the  greatest 
power  of  modern  civilization.  l'"rom  mighty  presses 
rolled  millions  of  newspapers  that  on  the  .sabbath  morn 
were  to  be  distributed  by  an  army  of  messengers,  and 
read  by  millions  of  people.  In  the  brilliantly  lighted 
stories  of  these  palaces  of  industry,  were  thousands  of 
men  at  work,  night  and  day,  gathering,  arranging, 
editing  and  setting  up  the  matter  for  the  forms.  From 
the  telegraph  and  the  telephone  instruments,  news 
was  received  from  another  great  army  of  reporters, 
distributed  in  all  quarters  of  the  globe.  Not  only  from 
the  civilized  centres  of  America,  Europe,  Asia,  Africa 
and  Oceanica,  was  news  gathered,   by   mail,   or,    by 


^,) 


.■-i-jtmiK*, 


"THE  BROTHER 


54 


ocean  cable ;  but  also  from  the  i-emotest  confines  of 
earth  came  accounts  of  what  was  immediately  trans- 
piring in  those  regions.  African  forests,  Australian 
wilds.,  Siberian,  steppes,  Indian  jungles,  Arctic  and 
Antarctic  ice,  and  ocean  waters,  all  yield  their  stories 
to  be  daily  distributed  by  this  mighty  engine  of  civil- 
ization, with  such  infinite  precision,  that  at  the  reveille 
oi"  breakfast  even,  without  fail  the  citizen  can  be  in- 
formed of  toe  affairs  of  the  entire  world,  as  he  quietly 
sips  his  coffee,  or  smokes  his  morning  cigar.  The  pal- 
aces of  these  great  daily  newspapers  arc  marvels  of  con- 
struction. Stone,  marble  and  brick,  tastefully  designed 
and  richly  sculptured,  add  the  charm  of  taste  to  these 
utilitarian  structures.  Within  art-  gathered  a  ho.st  of 
men  of  wondrous  ability,  in  the  departments  of  litera- 
ture, science,  industrial  and  fine  arts,  commerce,  law 
and  politics.  These  review  and  sift  the  matter  sent  in 
by  the  army  of  reporters,  condense  and  prepare  it  for 
publication.  General  news,  weather  reports,  commer- 
cial and  financial  affaire,  the  live  stock  market,  cotton 
market,  court  calenders,  railroad  stocks,  bonds  and 
mortgages;  the  grain  market,  mining  stocks,  foreign 
markets  and  the  state  of  trade;  the  departure  and 
arrival  of  ships,  cable  news;  insurance,  meetings, 
elections,  investments,  instruction,  dividends,  adver- 
tisements, editorials,  an<usements,  horse  and  yacht 
races,  obituaries,  produce,  army  and  navy,  book  no- 
tices, situations  for  tradesmen  and  professionals,  quack 
mvidicine,  boarders,  real  estate,  hotels,  transpcstation, 
merchants,  frauds  and  swindles,  under  every  guise, 
are  some  of  the  subjects  that  are  to  be  shaped  into  p»«- 


>  ^^-Hi«it*.',H-^^i  '.'it  -..-r^'Ai? 


St  confines  of 
didtely  transr 
:s,  Australian 
i,  Arctic  and 
d  their  stories 
igine  of  civil- 
at  the  reveille 
n  can    be    in- 

as  he  quietly 
ar.  The  pal- 
iiarvels  of  con- 
fully  designed 

taste  to  these 
;red  a  host  of 
ents  of  Htera- 
iminerce,  law 
matter  sent  in 

prepare  it  for 
orts,  commer- 
market,  cotton 
s,  bonds  and 
tocks,  foreign 
departure  and 
ce,  meetings, 
idends,  adver- 
se and  yacht 
,vy,  book  no- 
sionals,  quack 
iranspcttation, 
every  guise, 
laped  into  p»«- 


sentable  form  for  the  public,  with  each  returning  sun. 
One  of  the  heavy  clouds  still  drifting  in  the  sky,  broke 
over  the  city,  driving  us  for  shelter  into  a  cellar-way, 
into  which  a  group  of  news  boys  had  darted  before  ua 
where  they  huddled  together  to  avoid  the  splash  and 
drift  of  the  rain  sent  into  the  passage,  wetting  the 
boys  nearest  the  door.  The  danger  of  the  storm  for 
the  moment,  putting  aside  their  little  squabbles,  and 
fraternizing  them  into  common  brotherhood,  wherein 
the  great  heart  of  human  sympathy  was  strongly 
shown  by  the  rough  scolding  of  the  smaller,  and  weak- 
er boys,  into  securer  places.  A  demand  for  a  tune,  for 
which  the  boys  said  they  were  hungry,  was  made,  and 
from  the  midst  of  this  wretched  storm-driven  lot  of 
prospective  .presidents,  statesmen,  scientists,  poets, 
artists,  and  moralists,  came  the  sweet  sounds  of  a 
mouth  organ,  and  'IrJome,  Sweet  Home.'  poured  forth 
its  tender  sentiment,  with  many  variations,  born  of  the 
quick  perceptions  of  the  homeless  street  arabs  ;  Y^n- 
ations  that  would  have  attracted  a  Wagner  by  the 
elaboration  of  their  movements.  At  the  finish  the  air 
was  repeated  and  slowed  down  into  a  full  drav/n  and 
prolonged  chord. 

'•'That's  nice,'  said  a  pale  faced  little  fellow. 
"Then  followed  'The  Mocking  Bird,'  Irish  Jig.s,  and 
'Yankee  Doodle.'  The  rain  overhead  ceased  and  at  once 
there  was  a  scramble  for  the  free  air  and  the  papers. 

"  The  press  rooms,  which  were  free  to  visitors  at 
that  hour,  brought  surprise  to  the  calm  and  stolid  faces 
of  my  Continental  companions,  v/ho  silently  viewed 
these  marvels  of  human  skill  and  ingenuity.  Not  only 


;fi 


^•'f^\  i 


rE---.:»~'i^*fe.-iv=^r' 


pr- 


56 


"THK  UROTIIEiJ." 


the  complex  machhiery,  amazed  them,  but  the  im- 
mense journals,  printed,  folded,  stitched,  and  placed  on 
the  table,  with  such  rapidity  that  the  eye  could  not 
follow  their  operations.  Intently  both  watched  the 
wondrous  product  of  the  strong  presses,  that,  with  the 
assistance  of  a  few  men,  condensed  the  labor  of 
thousands;  the  rythmic  click  of  the  machinery  as- 
sisting to  fix  their  attention,  as  the  forms  played  like 
a  power  loom  shuttle,  under  the  rollers  and  cylinders. 
Statue-like,  the  pressmen  stood  above,  feeding  the 
sheets  with  unerring  rapidity  hour  after  hour  without 
moving.  No  noise,  bustle,  or  confusion  was  seen  here. 
In  its  stead,  was  quiet,  method  and  a  precision,  born 
of  skillful  training. 

'"What  would  Franklin  think  of  this.''  said  the 
younger  man. 

"'Wonderful!' replied  the  elder. 

"Turning  to  me  the  tall  Washington-like  man  said: 
'The  newspaper  must  have  become  universal,  judging 
from  the  immense  quantities  produced  here ! 

"'Yes,'  I  replied,  'this  is  but  a  fraction  of  them.  In 
every  city  and  town  in  the  United  States,  the  same 
thing  is  going  on,  in  a  greater,  or  less  degree.  There 
is  no  spot  on  this  continent  that  it  does  not  reach,  even 
to  the  farthest  Hudson  bay  post  in  the  frozen  north, 
or  the  desolate  region.?  of  Alaska. 

"I  began  to  have  a  feeling  that  these  men  were  not 
of  this  world.  Their  manners,  questions,  and  language 
were  strange.  Singularly  enough  there  was  no  uneasy 
feeling  about  their  presence,  and  the  effect  upon  me 
was  that  of  perfect  calm  and  rest,  whether  I  was  under 


i;.VW!.%^-%--ife*'--- 


aj(ioa^jinamoMi 


"THE  nROTMKK. 


57 


m,  but  the  im- 
ed,  and  placed  on 
;  eye  could  not 
>th  watched  the 
es,  that,  with  the 
ed  the  labor  of 
:  machinery  as- 
Drms  played  like 
;rs  and  cylinders. 
>ve,  feeding  the 
ter  hour  without 
m  was  seen  here. 
I  precision,    born 

f  this?'   said   the 


on-like  man  said: 
iniversal,  judging 
d  here ! 

tionofthem.  In 
jtates,  the  same 
;s  degree.  There 
js  not  reach,  even 
lei  frozen    north, 

ese  men  were  not 
ms,  and  language 
re  was  no  uneasy 
'.  efiTect  upon  me 
ether  I  was  under 


the  influence  of  some  species  of  enchantment,  or  not, 
I  could  not  tell:  my  feelings  and  thoughts  were  assim- 
ilated with  theirs,  and  the  spirit  of  conversation  pro- 
ceeded naturally  and  comfortably,  as  though  I  was 
speaking  to  familiars. 

"'The  newspaper  has  become  so  necessary  an  insti- 
tution to  the  modern  American,  that  he  eagerly  looks 
for  it  in  the  morning  before  he  is  half  dressed.  Every- 
where, in  the  hotels,  in  the  streets,  and  in  the  offices, 
he  is  seen  absorbed  in  the  morning  news.  The  view 
on  the  ferry  boats  in  the  morning,  consists  only  of  a 
massive  row  of  newspapers  beneath  which  are  exten- 
ded a  forest  of  legs,  and  from  above  rises  a  cloud  of 
tobacco  smoke.  Each  individual  purchases  his  pe- 
culiar paper,  preferred  as  it  inclines  toward  the  bias  of 
his  reason,  or  his  prejudices,  which  are  carefully  ar- 
ranged by  their  owners  so  as  to  be  on  opposite  sides 
of  some  subject  of  public  interest;  principally  politics, 
free  trade  or  restricted  trade.  Some  manage  to  ob- 
tain a  large  circulation  by  keeping  between  these  rjid- 
icul  points,  to  suit  a  large  mass  of  conservatives,  who 
have  no  def:'  ite  ideas,  or  are  too  weak  to  advance  any. 
Occasionally  .»  newspaper  is  used  by  influential  men  to 
advance,  by  artful  mean  their  policies  or  wishes,  for 
their  ovv  s  ;idvantage  by  influencing\,r  dividing  public 
opinion;  p;  icularly  in  the  way  of  obtaining  positions, 
by  which  tl  ■  may  be  able  to  p.vss  laws  that  will  en- 
able them,  oi  >thers  in  what  is  called  their  ring,  to 
plunder  the  p  ,olic.  It  must  howei^er  be  credited  to 
many  of  these  great  dailies,  that  cheir  aim  is  to  be 
strictly  newspapers ;  pretty  fairly  giving  all  sides  of 
8 


BESBBSScn^ 


mar? 


"THE  BROTHF.R. 


public  questions,  and  publishing  for  general  use,  the 
views  of  distinguished  persons.  The  eagerness  of  the 
American  nnind  for  the  mass  of  information  given  in  the 
papers,  is  doubtless  a  principal  cause  for  his  peculiar 
reticence.  His  society  is  in  the  newspaper,  and  when 
through  with  it,  he  has  nothing  to  say.  All  his  spare 
time  having  been  used  in  reading  news,  the  balance 
must  be  devoted  to  his  necessary  business.  Hence, 
comparatively  speaking,  he  never  speaks  at  all,  and 
loses  the  advantages  of  conversation,  or  the  exchange 
of  ideas.  This  want  of  intercourse  practically  -amounts 
to  isolation.  Persistent  reading  of  his  special  paper 
insensibly  drifts  him  under  the  control  of  the  ideas  ad- 
vanced, or  advocated  by  it;  ending  finally  in  his  be- 
coming very  decided  in  his  views  upon  a  given  subject. 
His  neighbor  is  influenced  similarly  on  the  opposite 
side  and  becomes  ea ually  decided.  Should  conver- 
sation ensue  upon  any  point,  both  are  met  with  such 
strong  and  disagreeable  opposition,  that  an  avoidance 
of  Jill  discussion  has  become  with  us  universal,  leaving 
each  individual  alone,  without  the  aid  or  attrition  of 
his  neighbor's  mind,  with  all  the  chances  to  become 
the  victim  of  designing  men,  whose  science  of  plunder, 
is  to  divide  and  conquer.  Nothing  is  easier  than  to 
control  men's  minds  in  this  way,  either  in  matters  of 
government,  commerce,  labor,  or  religion.  And  the 
public,  who  in  this  isolated  condition  that  makes  every 
man  suspicious  and  fearful  of  V.'.j  neighbor,  believing 
themselves  free  and  independent,  are  handled  and 
played  with  like  toys,  for  the  use  and  merriment  of 
the  cunning  and  un.scrupulous.     It  becomes  with  me  a 


"THR  nUOTMKR. 


59 


sral  use,  the 
crness  of  the 
1  given  in  the 

his  peculiar 
cr,  and  when 
All  his  spare 
the  balance 
>s.  Hence, 
1  at  all,  and 
he  exchange 
lUy  -amounts 
pecial  paper 
the  ideas  ad- 
y  in  his  be- 
jiven  subject, 
the  opposite 
uld  conver- 
t  with  such 
an  avoidance 
Tsal,  leaving 

attrition  of 
s  to  become 
e  of  plunder, 
sier  than  to 
I  matters  of 
I.  And  the 
makes  every 
3r,  believing 
\andled  and 
lerriment  of 
es  with  me  a 


question,  whether  the  American  mind  is  not  narrowed 
by  the  influence  of  newspaper  opinions  and  the  isolation 
of  its  social  condition,  caused  by  being  thus  prejudiced 
by  them.  The  mere  matter  of  being  informed  of  the- 
news  does  not  necessarily  favor  a  broad  cast  of  thought. 
For.it  is  not  unusual  to  find  men  who  can  tell  almost 
all  the  news  in  a  clever  way,  that  are  extremely  big- 
oted and  narrow  on  questions  of  religion,  or  politics.' 

•"You  take  a  gloomy  view  of  the  influence  of  news- 
paper opinion ,'  said  the  tall  man.  '  The  newspaper  as 
the  distributor  to  the  public  of  wise  opinions  upon 
matters  of  government,  or  society,  becomes  thus  a 
great  aid  to  civilization.' 

"'Yes',  •!  replied.  'It  was  so  once,  undoubtedly, 
and  is  largely  so  y^t.  The  tendency  is  to  goodness  ; 
otherwise  it  would  long  since  have  lost  public  respect. 
But  there  is  another  thing  to  consider.  When  a  news- 
paper is  owned  or  controlled  by  heavy  operators  on 
change,  or  the  stock  market,  by  railroad  kings,  mon- 
opolists, or  politicians;  who  artfully  enact  laws  in 
their  interest,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  the  paper 
under  their  influence  would  not  be  used  to  advance 
their  interest,  and  it  is  generally  believed  to  be  so.' 

"'Have  these  invested   interests   and   speculations 
become  greater  than  the  public  interest.' ' 
.    "  I  was  forced  to  smile  at   this.     Replying   that   it 
was  evident  that  he  was  not  familiar    with    'practical 

politics'  of  the  present  day. 

-  '"Have  private  interests  become  so  dominant,  that 
any  great  damage  or  suffering  has  deen  brought  to 
the  people.'' 


•  "ipiiiiS^.;; 


6o 


'THE  BROTHER. 


1*1 


"  •  Most  assurediy,  sir.  It  is  the  dominant  crime  of 
the  day.  To  such  an  mtense  degree  has  this  vice  be- 
,  come,  that  moralists  are  crying  out  against  it  every- 
where. The  Jabor  world  is  reduced  to  the  last 
extremity.  Discontent  is  rife.  The  land  is  full  of 
homeless  tramps  out  of  work,  and  an  uneasy  feeling 
pervades  all  society.  Economists  have  carefully 
studied  the  question  of  private  interests  sapping  the 
life  of  the  public.  Some  have  proposed  remedies;  others 
radical  cures.  And  they  arc  working,  writing  and 
speaking  like  missionaries,  in  both  Europe  and 
America,  promulgating  their  doctrines.  As  yet  no 
settled  idea  of  the  proper  cure  prevails  among  the 
people,  who  are  bewildered.  But  should  it  once  be 
generally  understood,  a  change  would  be  quickly 
effected. 

" '  What  remedies  are  proposed  for  the  difficulty.' ' 

"'That,'  I  replied,  receiving  the  most  profound  at- 
tention, at  present,  is  the  removal  of  all  taxation  from 
the  products  of  industry,  and  placing  it  on  land  values. 
Another,  that  is  powerful  in  Europe,  and  is  gaining 
greatly  here,  is,  the  nationalization  of  not  only  the 
land,  but  of  all  the  forces  of  production  and  distribution 

I"  Does  not   the    land    belong   in    usufruct   to   the 
living.?'  asked  the  younger  man. 
'"No  sir;  it  is  owned  by  dead  men,    who   lived    cen- 
turies ago,  who  by  legal  means  control  its  use  so  as 
to  prevent  the  living  using  it' 

"'Strange,' said  he,  'that  progress  has  not  been 
made.     You  are  really  working  backward.' 

" '  Where  arc  the  effects  of  this  sad  state  of  society 


"■"■"•«Sr 


"THE  BROTHER. 


6i 


lant  crime  of 

this  vice  be- 

ist   it  every- 

to    the    last 

nd   is  full   of 

easy   feeling 

ive    carefully 

sapping    the 

ledies;  others 

writing    and 

Europe    and 

As    yet    no 

among   the 

it   once  be 

be  quickly 

fficulty?' 
profound  at- 
ixation  from 

land  values. 

is   gaining 

ot   only  the 

distribution 
ruct   to   the 

lived    cen- 
:s  use  so  as 

s    not   been 

1.' 

e  of  society 


to  be  seen.''  inquired  the  tall  man. 

"'Everywhere,'  I  replied.  'Look  around  you,  under 
the  shadow  of  the  hulls  of  justice,  under  the  shadow 
of  these  palaces  devoted  to  the  spread  of  thought  and 
intelligence,  and  you  can  see  it  d?y  and  night,  through 
summer's  heat  and  winter's   ice!     See  these  wretches 
grinding  out  music  on  the  cold  streets;  these  beggars 
and  tramps  eternally  passing !     See  these  pale-faced 
boys  in  rags,  whose  home  is  the  street  tnd  whose  bed 
is  the  cellar  door  I  These  children  who  should   be  at 
school,  or  at  play,  hardly  ever  see  a  bed  b;it  are  here 
all  night  long.     Between  three  and  four  in  the  morn- 
ing they  gather  for  the  papers  ;  at  that  hour  when  the 
luxurious  are  enjoying  balmy  sleep  on  perfumed  beds, 
the  scene  of  activity  here  at  the  offices   is    a  marvel. 
An  army  of  horses  of  great  speed,    fly   with   tons   of 
newspapers  in  all  directions  to  railroad  depots,  where 
special  trains  await  them,  to  fly  again  with  lightning 
speed  to  all  parts  of  the  land  with  their  burden,  where 
at  every  station  eager  men  wait  for  the   bundles   that 
arc  thrown  to  them  in    passing.     An    arnr.y   of  boys, 
women,  girls,  cripples,  and  even  the  blind  who  are  led 
around,  purchase  for  the  street  sale  or  loral  trade  ;  and 
all  is  excitement  and  activity.     It  is  a  wonderful  scene 
that  hundreds  of  thousands  in  this  very  city  know  not 
the  existence  of,  so  widely  are  the  interests  of  society 
seperated.     These  poor  boys  support  themselves.     In 
bad  weather,  if  fortunate,  they  can  secure  a  bed  in  a 
ten  or  fifteen-cent  lodging  house,  or,  if  short  of  money, 
they  go  to  the  two-cent  coffee  house  where  they  have 
the  blessed  privilege  to  sleep  on  a  bench.' 


62 


"THE  BROTHER. 


li: 


R!  , 


I  pointed  across  the  street  to  the  rear  of  the  national 
post  office,  as  an  illustration  of  the  indifference  of 
society  to  these  noble  boys  and  the  condition  of  these 
outcasts  who  are  hunted  from  the  streets,  their  only 
home.  Even  this  refuge  of  the  newsboys  was  not  se- 
cure. Attempts  to  give  expression  to  the  pleasure  of 
young  life,  by  the  amusement  of  pitching  and  catching 
ball  upon  the  open  area  devoid  of  passengers  or 
vehicles  except  those  of  the  giant  post  office — whose 
never  ceasing  industry  in  distributing  the  enclosures 
of  trade  and  thought,  to  the  vast  multitudes  of  men  in 
every  quarter  of  the  globe,  which  were  unloading,  or 
receiving,  the  mail  bags  to  be  shipped  by  the  various 
routes  of  railroad  or  ocean  steamer  ;  while  some  of  the 
strong,  fine,  percheron  horses  were  quietly  eating  their 
midnight  meal — and  which  offered  no  interference  to 
the  amusement  of  these  little,  homeless  street  arabs  as 
they  whiled  away  the  hours  of  the  weary  night  or  kept 
the  damp  and  chill  from  their  aching  bones  by  such 
warmth  as  might  be  evolved  from  their  poorly  nour- 
ished bodies ;  or  made  up  for  the  defect  of  scanty 
clothing,  hatless  heads,  or  shoeless  feet,  of  these 
builders  and  supporters  of  the  great  modern  engine  of 
civilization.  Ever  alert  for  the  approach  of  the  police- 
man, or  the  cop,  as  they  call  him,  the  ball  produced 
from  a  dirty,  ragged  pocket  was  rapidly  but  quietly 
tossed  and  caught.  Skillful  twists  and  curves  given  it, 
similar  to  those  of  the  professional  ball  players.  The 
catchers  displayed  equal  skill.  First  a  high  ball,  then 
low,  a  miss,  a  fly,  or  a  grounder,  picked  up  in  an  instant, 
by  the  quick  nervous  fielders.     The  passes  of  the  ball 


*'THK  BkOtllKK. 


63 


f  the  national 
dirtcrence  of 
ition  of  these 
,  their  only 
*  was  not  se- 
e  pleasure  of 
and  catching 
assengers  or 
)f?ice — whose 
e  enclosures 
ies  of  men  in 
nioading,  or 
'  the  various 
e  some  of  the 
^^  eating  their 
terference  to 
;reet  arabs  as 
night  or  kept 
>es  by  such 
(oorly  nour- 
ct  of  scanty 
:et,  of  these 
irn  engine  of 
)f  the  police- 
ill  produced 
f  but  quietly 
rves  given  it, 
layers.  The 
gh  ball,  then 
in  an  instant, 
lis  of  the  ball 


were  few,  for  the  boys  in  the  open  area  were  soon  dis- 
covered by  the  cop,  whose  hasty  approach  caused 
them  to  scatter  like  a  flock  of  partridges.  Kvery  nook 
and  corner,  every  cellar- way  in  the  neighborhood, 
was  known  to  them,  to  which  they  darted  for  security. 
We  undertook  to  pass  across  the  small  public  park  in 
front  of  the  City  Hall,  halting  a  moment  to  look  at  a 
beautiful  fountain  of  polished  granite.  The  .seats  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  public  had  been  removed  so 
as  to  prevent  their  occupation  at  night  by  the  tramps 
and  homeless  news  boys,  and  no  resting  place  was 
visible,  The  admirable  cement  walks  and  the  well 
kept  lawns  were  perfect.  Little  did  we  dream  that  we 
were  trespassers,  until,  roughly  as  well  as  peremptorily, 
ordered  off  in  a  fine,  rich,  Irish  brogue  by  a  splendid 
look;-.:^  policeman,  the  waive  of  whose  iron-wood  club 
indicated  that  no  discussion  of  a  freeman's  rights  were 
just  then  admissible  and  that  compliance  was  the 
easiest  way  out  of  the  diflficulty. 

"  '  Our  elected  servants  are  our  governors,'  I  remarked. 
'Tbeideaofgovernment  has  become  the  idea  of  owner- 
ship of  the  public  and  the  public's  property,  to  which 
the  elected  are  exclusively  entitled.  The  police  can 
have  only  contempt  for  the  general  public.  They  are 
in  a  position  to  know  the  nature  and  character  of  all 
the  various  phases  of  social  life  in  the  city  and  soon 
lose  all  respect  for  the  citizens,  when  they  realize  the 
fact  that  the  merchants  are  mostly  shams,  the  idlers 
are  living  on  their  wits,  the  .supposed  respectable  are 
dealers  in  lottery  tickets,  or  gamblers  and  confidence 
men  ;  three  fourths  of  the  women  in  hotels  ar.d  board- 


64 


"THE  BROTHER. 


ing  houses  are  irregular  in  their  morals ;  the  entire 
mass,  with  the  exception  of  the  few  laborers,  are 
sharpers,  speculators,  thieves  and  tramps.  This  de- 
lectable social  state  is  not  likely  to  inspire  rcsjioct. 
Hence  the  in.stinctivc  desire  on  the  part  of  the  police 
to  club  the  rotten  mass,  and  to  increase  the  size  of 
their  clubs  for  its  better  performance  ;  until,  at  present, 
a  blow  from  one  of  these  massive  bludgeons  is  certain 
death.  The  public  have  become  accustomed  to  this 
savage  treatment;  long  since  having  ceased  '>,  enter- 
tain any  other  idea  of  government  than  the  right  to 
brutally  club  the  citizens.  A  citizen  informed  me  that 
a  policeman  b  '^  the  right  to  enter  any  house  and  club 
your  father  a  mother,  your  wife  or  children,  oi  your- 
self. Who  would  stop  him  ?  no  one  could  do  anything 
with  the  police.  If  you  complained,  the  case  would 
be  dismissed  and  the  policeman  would  club  you  all 
the  more  on  the  first  opportunity.  To  enter  a  house 
a  warrant  was  superfluous:  if  the  police  had  to  pro-  iire 
a  warrant  for  every  house-hold  they  wanted  to  club, 
a  thousand  clerks  could  not  write  them  fast  enough  to 
supply  the  police  of  New  York  city.' 

"  Many  stories  I  told  of  the  life  and  habits  of  the 
news  boys,  the  women  an.l  twirls,  and  the  blind,  who 
were  led  around  selling  the  daily  papers.  What  the 
boys  made,  and  how  they  often,  on  bad  days,  were 
left  with  a  number  of  unsold  papers  on  their  hands. 
That  this  alone  amounted  annually  to  an  immense,  but 
generally  distributed,  loss  to  them,  and  a  boastful  gain 
to  the  giant  dailies. 

•'  By  this  time  the  streets  were  dry  and  our  walk  led 


■,l-i!Viii^<i0i:.' 


r  T 


;  the  entire 
aborers,  arc 
s.  This  dc- 
|)ire  rcsj<t;ct. 
)f  the  pohre 
the  size  of 
il.  at  present, 
jiis  is  certain 
mcd  to  thi 
:ed  •  ,  enter- 
he  right  to 
mcd  me  that 
)ii.se  and  club 
ren,  or  yoiir- 
do  anything 
case  would 
lub  you  all 
Iter  a  house 
id  to  pro"  lire 
:ed  to  club, 
st  enough  to 

ibits  of  the 
blind,  who 
What  the 
days,  were 
their  hands, 
mmense,  but 
aoastful  gain 

our  walk  led 


'THE  BROTHKR. 


,6$ 


past  the  city  hall,  the  entrance  to  the  Bro«.Hyn  bridge 
and  under  the  elev  Ued  rail-way,  which  latter  object 
seemed  of  great  interest,  and  caused  many  questions 
of  its  extent  and  management.  We  continued  along 
Chatham  Square  where  the  hard  side  of  social  life  in 
the  slums  of  this  pestilential  district,  displayed  many 
of  its  pickets  and  outposts  on  the  main  street.  Turning 
into  a  narrow  street,  we  found  ourselves  in  the  midnt 
of  a  great  number  of  Chinese  who  were  standing  list- 
lessly about  the  pavements.  Their  dwellings  were 
curiously  arranged  with  small  bars  on  the  upper  part 
of  the  doors,  or  windows.  These  appeared  to  be  for 
the  purpose  of  admitting  air  to  their  confined  apart- 
ments, which  were  filled  with  bunks,  one  above  the 
other,  so  as  to  accommodate  a  great  number.  Those  in 
the  street,  we  were  told,  were  the  class  who  slept  in 
the  day  time,  the  apartments  being  obliged  to  iccom- 
modate  two  sets  of  people  ;  one  in  the  night  and  one  in 
the  day.  Above  the  door  of  each  house  were  some 
Chinese  characters  which  we  could  not  interpret,  but 
which  we  understood  signified  some  sentiment  or  other 
of  a  happy  character;  such  as.  'Happy  Home'  or 
'Sweet,  Sweet  Rest'  A  number  of  the  Chinese  were 
gathered  together  on  the  pavement,  looking  up  at  the 
second  story  windows  of  a  house  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  street.  The  front  of  this  house  was  ornamented 
by  a  richly  carved  sign  of  Chinese  workmanship,  de- 
corated in  Vermillion  red  and  gold.  In  fror.t  hung  a 
number  of  Chinese  lanterns,  that  gave  to  this  other- 
wise squalid  building  a  pleasing  effect.  Within  a  num- 
ber of  Chinese  were  visible  moving  about,    and    from 

9 


...^__-m-^;— — 


I,     >■ 


V', 


.-.     '?■: 


66 


"THB  HkOTIIKK. 


the  interest  of  those  on  the  piivcmcnt  we  judged  that 
something  unusual  as  foing  on.  The  idea  occurred 
to  me  that  it  was  a  Joss  house,  and  after  considering 
u  moment,  I  thought  that  we  would  take  the  risk  and 
go  up  the  stair-way  and  see  what  it  was.  We  started 
at  a  rapid  pace,  knowing  that  if  anything  was  to  be 
seen  it  must  be  quickly;  no  sooner  had  the  Chinese  on 
the  street  observed  our  movements,  than  a  'hi  yi' 
signal  went  up  to  the  windows.  This  I  did  not  like, 
but  pushed  on  faster.  Arriving  at  the  top  of  the  stair- 
way we  glanced  quickly  through  the  half  glass  door 
and  found  that  it  was  a  Chinese  eating  house  of  the 
coarsest  description.  At  one  of  the  tables  near  the 
front  windows  sat  two  white  girls,  of  perhaps  sixteen 
and  eighteen  years,  of  the  most  degraded  type,  who 
were  having  great  amusement  with  a  room  full  of  the 
Chinese.  Some  of  the  Chine.se  from  the  street  began 
to  come  up  after  us,  and  we  turned  (juickly  to  go  down, 
to  avoid  any  difficulty,  wuich  appeared  imminent.  On 
the  stairs  we  met  a  policeman,  who  was  showing  a 
couple  of  gentlemen  the  sights  of  the  neighborhood, 
and  feeling  ourselves  safe,  we  returned,  taking  a  lon- 
ger look  through  the  door,  not  presuming  to  follow 
the  polic.°man  and  his  friends  inside,  where  they  looked 
wonderfully  out  of  place.  This  conservative  dilution 
of  our  national  manhood  was  interesting  in  the  study 
of  its  degradation.  For  they  represent  a  nation  that 
is  the  enemy  of  all  revolution;  whose  sole  ambition 
and  logical  dream  is  to  change  not;  a  terrible  multi- 
tude incredibly  economical  and  frightfully  prodigal  of 
labor,  who  fly  from  their  own  cracking,  rotting  empire 


'  '-'-^-imgmeimmismttmmsuwsmimmMsmi,' 


"THK  nROTHKK. 


67 


i^e  judged  that 
'.  Idea  occurred 
r  considering 
e  the  risk  and 
IS.  Wc  started 
g  was  to  be 
the  Chinese  on 
lan  a  'hi  yi* 
did  not  like, 
)p  of  the  stair- 
ilf  glass  door 
house  of  the 
bles  near  the 
rhaps  sixteen 
;d  type,  who 
om  full  of  the 
;  street  began 
ly  to  go  down, 
imminent.  On 
as  showing  a 
neighborhood, 
taking  a  lon- 
ing  to  follow 
re  they  looked 
'ative  dilution 
g  in  the  study 
a  nation  that 
sole  ambition 
errible  multi- 
ly  prodigal  of 
rotting  empire 


to  our  shores  where  they  often  meet  from  their  labor 
competitors,  a  brutal  and  odious  resistance.  Refine- 
ment to  these  celestials  consists  in  the  decrepit  vices 
of  conservatism,  chimeric  invention  and  infinite  ugli- 
ness. Ages  <-f  subjection  to  their  leeching  mandarins 
and  ruler'i,  vvho  have  protected  them  from  outside  in- 
novation, has  reduced  them  to  the  infinitude  of  economic 
meanness,  and  rendered  them  constitutionally  unfit  for 
the  advanced  phases  of  intellectual  life.  Hut  here  they 
are  filling  the  position  of  the  model  to  which  the 
Anglo-American  mind  is  rapidly  approaching. 

"We  continued  along  this  street  and  turned  sever- 
al corners  observing  the  low  places  of  human  degra- 
dation on  every  side.  I  knew  that  it  was  no  place 
for  respectable  people;  but,  although  there  were 
many  dangerous  looking  characters,  and  many  intox- 
icated men  lying  on  the  pavements  and  in  door-ways, 
we  passed  undisturbed,  with  the  exception  of  a  severe 
blow  upon  my  right  arm  by  the  closed  fist  of  a  stal- 
wart, drunken  woman,  as  she  passed  by  us.  Obser- 
vation was  always  directed  to  me  ;  the  two  strangers, 
dressed  so  unusually,  were  unnoticed,  as  much  as 
though  they  were  invisible. 

"The  saints  and  martyrs  of  christian  faith  and  hope 
were  even  here  at  this  late  hour,  penetrating  the  dark 
world  of  human  woe,  with  a  heroism  that,  although 
more  obscure,  was  no  less  greater  than  that  of  a  Ma- 
gellan or  a  Stanley.  In  the  interior  of  one  of  these 
dens  of  iniquity,  I  recognised  an  old  friend  who  had 
spent  most  of  his  life  as  a  missionary  among  the  In- 
dians. Whole  tribes  had  been  raised  by  his  sole  efforts 


:.    k 


~>«;-<V»-,!^«M. 


m 


"THE  BROTHER." 


m- 


from  ,x  state  of  naked    savagery  to   an  ordekly  condi- 
.  tion  ok"  civilized  life.     And    where  once    the  nomadic 
Indian  contested  the  e.^rth  with  the  wolf  and  the  pan- 
ther, now  lowing    cattle,   golden    harvests,    and    the 
,   click  of  the  reaper  and  the  hum  of  the    thresher,  are 
.    seen  and  heard  ;  while  the    song  of  thankfulnc.«T  and 
7   praise  rises  from  happy  hearts  to  the  God,  this  follow- 
er of  Jesus  of  Nazareth  has  taught   them  to   worship. 
r    Here  his  work  A'as  the  same  but  more  hopeless.      No 
,     government  offered  them  free  land,    implements,    nor 
,;   sent  workmen  to   con.struct  thc'r   homes ;  farmers  to 
teach    the    culture    of  the    land  ;    devoted  men    and 
women  to  educate  the  youth,    or    train    their    barren 
,V  natures  to  affection  and  piety.       He  could   only  point 
_  these  outca:^;.s  lo  the  skies,    where    he  told   them  was 
\.  the  love  of  God,  the    Father.     From   these  surround- 
ings there  was  no  escape ;  no  spot  on  earth    to  which 
they  could  go  for  safety.  The  highways  were  already 
overflowing  with  their  shunned  kind,  from  whom  those 
who  hav^  homes   protect   theinselves   with  dogs   and 
guns  and  prisons. 

"A  woman  of  about  thirty  years  of  age,  who  hag- 
gard and  worn  as  she  was,  showed  traces  of  refined 
manners,  listened  to  the  good  man's  words  of  consol- 
ation. And  when  he  made  the  final  appeal  to  come 
to  Jesus,  the  comforter,  she  majestically  straightened 
up  before  him,  and  with  a  look  of  insulted  dignity, 
said  :  '  I  once  believed  that  promise  in  hapnier  days. 
I  once  believed  that  God  was  a  father  to  whom  I 
owed  the  love  and  duty  of  a  child,  and  that  I  had  in- 
dividual responsibility  for  my  sins,    I  once  had  a  !ov- 


'  -•«M»^S^«fci«i««»)|KK»(ISiiS«tt»'Sei«^^ 


.a*i"'S' 


■■■%ISi«!1WW»?» 


"THE  BROTHER. 


69 


ordei'ly  condi- 
e  the  nomadic 
If  and  the  pan- 
vests,  and  the 
e  thresher,  are 
lankfulncF^,  and 
od,  this  follow- 
;m  to  worship, 
hopeless.  No 
iplements,  nor 
nes ;  farmers  to 
Died  men  and 
1  their  barren 
'uld  only  point 
told  them  was 
hese  .surround- 
?arth  to  which 
s  were  already 
om  whom  those 
with  dogs  and 

ige,  who  hag- 
ices  of  refined 
ords  of  consol- 
ppeal  to  come 
y  straightened 
suited    dignity, 

hapoier  days. 
;r    to    whom   I 

that  I  had  in- 
nce  had  a  lov- 


ing husband  who  was  perfection  itself.  Two  happy 
years  of  bliss  and  God  took  him  from  me.  leaving  mc 
a  love'y  babe  to  take  his  place  in  my  heart.  In  her 
sweet  dimpled  face  on  which  I  looked  with  joy  as  she 
nursed  my  breasts,  I  could  recall  his  features — a  few 
short  years  and  God  took  her  also  away,  leaving  me 
desolate.  1  was  rich,  educated,  and  my  friends  stand 
among  the  first  in  this  city.  i/ut  i  took  to  drink  to 
drown  my  sorrow  ;  the  alcoholic  .serpent  fastened  on 
my  appetite.  I  was  abandoned  by  friends,  my  fortune 
went  to  the  rum-seller,  God  forsook  me,  and  here  I 
am  at  the  lowest  stage  of  human  degradation.' 

"She  buried  her  face  in    her    hands   and    woman's 
softer  -soul  in  woe  dissolved  aloud . 

"My  companions  frequently  stood  for  a  long  while 
viewing  some  of  these  places  and  the  uninviting 
characters  within,  so  that  the  delay  was  at  times  to 
me  quite  uncomfortable,  for  this  quarter  I  knew  to  be 
infested  with  the  vilest  and  most  unprincipled  of  God's 
creatures.  Wandering  around  by  the  Tombs  police 
court  and  prison,  we  fell  in  with  an  officer  of  that  in- 
stitution, who  proved  to  be  a  communicative  and  well 
mannered  gentleman,  from  whom  we  obtained  some 
general  information  of  the  number  and  character  of 
the  criminals  who  occupy  the  attention  of  the  large 
corps  of  judges  every  morning,  that  was  quite  inter- 
esting. This  officer  informed  us  that  we  should  come 
in  the  mornitiig  at  six  o'clock  if  we  wished  to  see  the 
prisoners  brought  in  from  the  stations  in  the  different 
parts  of  the  city.  They  would  then  be  put  into  the 
coolers  for  a  few  hours  until  the  judges  opened  court, 


I 


J>«'>*1w*!*''' 


y^:;^;^w^^v^r  I  . 


n 


h; 


■M' 


"THE  BROTHER. 


m 


m :% 


t'iV""'-: 


when  We  could  hear  the  cases  investigated  and  get  an 
idea  of  the  nature  of  their  crities.  '  You  wiil  see  every 
kind  of  people  brought  in  here,  men    and    women    of 
all  grades;  boys,  girls,  and  even  quite  young  children; 
tramps,  thieves,  fighters,  and  dead  beats.     In  fact  we 
get  every  kind,  from  a  banker  to  the  tramp.  You  can 
see  them  any  morning  if  you  want  to.     Sometimes    a 
great  number,  and  at  other  times,  not  so  many,  but  we 
always  get  plenty  of  them.'  We  thanked  this  unusually 
obliging  officer  and  bade  hin  good    night.     Walking 
around  ;.he  block  to  view  the   massive   walls   of  the 
prison,  which  were  rendered  mere  dismal  and  gloomy 
by  the  heavy  granite  colonnade  of  Egyptian  architec- 
ture that  associated  in  the  mind  the    gloomy,  solemn 
splendors  of  ancieni  Egypt,  who.se  ruins    of  temples 
erected  to  the  gods  of  heat  and  life,  where   thousands 
of  years  v.  "cnessed  the  wondrous  development  of  learn- 
ing in  their  shades,  and  under    the   influence    of  their 
m.Tvellou.  cult,  had  left    us    the    strongest    Mnes    on 
history's  pages  of  the  records   of  civilized    life.     Her 
noble  architecture  that  has  so  long  defied  the  ravages 
of  time,  here  lends  its  solemn    charm    to    the    adorn- 
nr;ent  of  a  temple  for    the  besotted    criminals   of  the 
model  Republic  of  all  times,  whose    cult    arises    from 
the  adoration  of  the  modern   god  of   selfishness    and 
greed;  whose  temple  is  a  prison  for  his  votaries,  and 
the  victims  of  his  fatal  rites  and  v/orship. 

"Quiet  reigned  at  this  late  hour  among  the  poor 
Jews  in  that  awful  section  of  the  city  called  Jerusalem, 
a  wi etched  parody  on  the  sublime  city  and  ancient 
people  who  gave  us  cur  Holy  Bible:  a    people  whose 


&as«SsiS&«»*9iv 


■*■>*.'*  ' 


1 


"j'SBiiii^iw 


f:miif**mrffam^mi>miMiim>it-'  ■ 


"THE  BROTHER. 


71 


:ed  aiid  get  an 
will  see  every 
i  women  of 
ung  children; 
In  fact  we 
mp.  You  can 
Sometimes  a 
many,  but  we 
this  unusually 
iit.  Walking 
walls  of  the 
1  and  gloomy 
tian  architec- 
•omy,  solemn 
i  of  temples 
re  thousands 
nent  of  learn - 
;nce  of  their 
est  Uncs  on 
:d  life.  Her 
d  the  r-ivages 

the  adorn- 
linals   of  the 

arises  from 
fishness  and 
votaries,  and 

tig   the   poor 

;d  Jerusalem, 

and  ancient 

eople  whose 


high  intellectual  type  contended  with  the  low  ideal  of 
idolatrous  worship,  and  who  emancipated  themselves 
and  the  world  from  its  thraldom,  planting  in  its  stead 
the  one  true  and  only  God  of  justice    and   mercy.     A 
people  with  whom  the  ideal  humanity  of  Christ  found 
its  birth,  nurture  and  development,     A    people    who 
have  proved  the  only  substantial  barrier   to   the   cor- 
ruptions that  have  covered  with  selfish  crime  and  filth 
the  beautiful  teachings  of  the  Jew  of  Bethlehem,  who 
spoke  as  never  man  spoke  ;  who  left  us  his  divine  bles- 
sing in  the  sweet   words,   '  Love   one    another,'   and 
'Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  will  do  unto  you,  do 
ye  also^unto  them.'     Alas!  the  poor  Jew,  here  in  this 
foul  spot  on  God's  footstooK  no  longer  represents  the 
sublime  character  of  bis  tenacious  race,    but    is   sunk 
into  the  last  depths  of  degradation,  despair  and  death, 
by  the  idolatry  of  the  one  and    only    god    now    wor- 
shipped in  all  the  earth  that  has  supplanted  his  ideal ; 
that  has  sunk  Abraham,  Moses    and    Christ   into   the 
night  of  oblivion.     This  one  and  only  god   of   greed, 
has  made  him  the  victim  of  the  sweater,  who     fattens 
on  his  blood,  life   and  soul  also.    His  Semitic  tenacity, 
his  virtuous  patience,  his  endurance,  his  hope,  and  his 
love  for  Rachel  and  her  children,  give    him    a    power 
and  a  courage    to    live   under   this    grievous  burden, 
greater  than  the  courage  to  die.     As    he   toils,    from 
early  morn  far  into  the  weary  night,  in  close    packed 
rooms,  in  fetid  atmospheres,  for  the  few  pence  of  the 
sweater,  and  the  wretched  food  which  he  shares  with 
his  loved  daughters  of  Israel  and  their  chosen  offspring, 
his  fertile  imagination  furnishes  him  a  manna  of  life. 


72 


"THE  RROTHER. 


as  it  wanders  afar  to  the  former  scenes  that  illustrate 
the  glories  of  his  race,  and  the  hopeful  promise  that 
sustained  his  fathers  in  their  slavish  captivity,  when 
the  daughters  of  Israel  hung  their  harps  on  the  will- 
ows and  sat  down  by  the  waters  of  Babylon  and  wept. 
"In  the  Italian  quarter  where  the  scenes  were  noisi- 
est, the  stench  from  the  street?  and  garbage  was  sick- 
ening, but  my  companions  did  not  seem  to  mind  it  at 
all.  At  last  the  people  seemed  to  dwindle  away,  be- 
coming fewer  and  f^wer.  The  orgies  and  dance  houses 
ceased;  humanity  seemed  revelled  out  ^nd  the  wretches 
of  men,  women,  and  children,  all  sank  into  a  besotted 
and  feverish  sleep,  where  life  pulsated  laboriously  in 
rank  polluted  atmospheres;  where  death  claimed  his 
nightly  percentages  of  i  iU'e,  the  horrors  of  ex- 

istence mercifully  termihated  by  nis  charitable  stop- 
page of  the  heart  beat  and  ceasing  of  consciousness  to 
t'^esc  ended  lives,  festered  out  in  an  environment  of 
yr^jness  and  crime," 


^^Siiifesfes^feiA:  *Ss^^«i»<i;*^»«*4-»?  -^ 


iXm^jmsKHiBiasmimBtSS^i 


mk 


hat  illustrate 
promise  that 
itivity,  when 
on  the  will- 
Ion  and  wept. 
:*s  were  noisi- 
age  was  sick- 
to  mind  it  at 
lie  away,  be- 
dance  houses 
the  wretches 
to  a  besotted 
iboriously  in 
claimed  his 
>riors  of  ex- 
citable stop- 
sciousness  to 
/ironment  of 


CHAPTER  V. 


CHURCHES  AND  CHARITIES. 


"The  night  was  spent.  Aurora's  rosy  tints  heralded 
the  opening  day.  Crimson  and  gold  filled  the  east  as 
the  rising  sun  kissed  the  tender  clouds  and  moist  earth. 
Dew  drops  sparkled  joyously  on  palpitating  petals  of 
blooming  flowers,  that  modestly  turned  their  open 
bells  to  receive  the  blush  of  morn.  Awakening  song 
birds  chirruping  a  few  neighborly  calls,  broke  forth  in 
one  mighty  chorus  of  joy  as  the  full,  warm,  golden 
beams,  shot  across  mountain,  meadow,  grove  and  field, 
and  the  song  of  Osiris  went  up  from  all  tli  earth. 
Alas !  the  heavy  eyelids,  aching  brains,  and  weary 
limbs  cf  the  besotted  sleepers,  were  as  oblivious  to  the 
pageant  of  Apollo's  return,  as  the  bloodless  lips  and 
pallid  brows  of  those  upon  whom  eternal  night  had 
fallen.  The  throb  of  solemn  church  bells  tolling  three 
times  three  to  the  morning  air,  slartled  some  of  the 
sleepers,  who  a.rter  rubbing  their  swollen  eyes,  and 
dressing  their  aching  temples,  sped  with  hurried  steps 
towards  the  temples  of  worship.  Brilliant  altar  lights 
and  jewels,  dazzled  the  eye.  Richly  colored  paintings 
of  sweet  motherhood,  whose  downcast  and  modest  eyes 

lO 


-'•^gs?'«t**^*' 


■H^iitiiiii'  j^^imimmsm^^mmmimsitk^A 


.3.1...      '^i'<'f^'i^'*^^¥S^rMf 


■^xm"-'  ~ 


T- 


"W 


f4 


"THE  BROTHER," 


affectionately  gazed  upon  the  innocent  babe  in  whom 
the  undeveloped  germ  of  sublime  virtue,  or  i;rimc,  was 
yet  obscured.  A  crowd  of  dimpled  cherubs  and  sweet 
faced,  winged  angels,  adoringly  looked  upon  thi.«  hu- 
man joy,  and  with  delicate  fingers  tinkling  golden 
harps,  sang  in  heavenly  chorus,  the  glad  tidings  'That 
another  child  is  born.'  Opposite  was  the  picture  of 
the  developed  man,  whose  face  upturned  in  the  agony 
of  despair  and  with  writhing  body,  bleeding  hands, 
feet  aod  side,  hung  upon  a  wooden  cross.  A  bloody 
sun  was  sinking  in  the  horizon.  Fierce  lightning  dart- 
ing from  a  tempestuous  sky,  played  through  the  air 
and  I'-ound  his  head.  A  gleam  of  pale  light  cut  out 
in  fine  relief,  the  divine  features  that  throbbed  with 
mental  agony.  And  from  the  parted  lips  was  heard 
the  cry  of '  Father  forgive  them,  they  know  not  What 
they  do.'  The  solemn  .sounds  of  the  Gregorian  chant 
arose  from  the  Altar  front,  and  the  wretches  bowed 
their  heads  with  the  awful  impression  of  the  scene. 
Amidst  all  the  surroundings  of  crime,  of  filth  and  dis- 
♦-ase;  amidst  all  compulsory  sinking  of  manhood  and 
womanhood,  in  the  unequal  struggle  for  existence,  on 
the  site  of  street  stones  and  squalid  lodgings  for  a 
little  garbage,  alcohoJ.  and  some  filthy  rags,  there  was 
the  remnant  of  an  inner  life,  of  the  divine  man  and 
conscience;." 

All  idea  fjf  a  supernatural  presence  was  for  the  mo- 
ment forgotten  by  the  historian  in  his    amazcr»ent    at 
the  wonderful  account  of  the  Nineteenth  century  that 
flowed  from  Ws  rap**ily  flying  per.  to  the  paper  before 
mpir     The  sui*  le-kike  fotm  of  Edward  Tureheart  never 


i«s;aifc«a»^'' 


^S*«.ptt^ 


?^ft;^"-; .' 


■^-^*«^¥<^r^^l(f«H;>j*r5^fWW'*»?«^  -■ 


"THE  BROTHER. 


75 


abe  in  whom 
or  crime,  was 
bs  and  sweet 
ipon  thi^  hu- 
cling  golden 
tidings  'That 
e  picture  of 
in  the  agony 
;ding  hands, 
i.  A  bloody 
^fhtningdart- 
ugh  the  air 
light  cut  out 
robbed  with 
s  was  heard 
)w  not  what 
gorian  chant 
:ches  bowed 
r  the  scene, 
filth  and  dis- 
lanhood  and 
sxistencc,  on 
gings  for  a 
g:s,  there  was 
le    man    and 

»  for  the  mo- 
lazeiiient  at 
century  that 
paper  before 
eheart  never 


moved,  but  his  face  alone  assumed  a  deeper  expression 
of  pain  as  the  story  of  the  past  was  recorded.  The 
reluctant  pause,  before  he  consented  to  the  recital  of 
'"'^'^ese  savage  horrors  was  thus  explained.  With  in- 
credible speed  the  story  went  on. 

"As   we  left  the  church  a    group   of  young   men 
emerged  from  a  saloon  where  they  had  passed  a  jolly 
night,  spending  all  their  week's  earnings  over  the  bar. 
The  proprietor  and  his  family  were  just   entering  the 
side  door  on  their  return  from  early  mass,  with  hearts 
and  consciences  lightened  by  the  strict  performance 
of  religious  duties.     On  the  steps  of  the  University  of 
New  York,  where  professor  Morse  invented  his  mode 
of  instantaneous   communication  of  thought  by   the 
electric  telegraph,    sat   a    poor   homeless  woman    of 
about  middle  age,  clad  in  tatters,    resting  herself  be- 
tween the  times  that  hunger  ci-»«pelled    b«r    to    seek 
food,  or  a  place  to  crawl  under  aad  sleep      But  even 
here  with  this  poor,  unfortunate  victim  of  society  the 
progress  of  the  age  was  visible.     The  great  engint:  of 
civilization,  the  press,  had  brought  to  this  barren  life 
its  blessings.   Art,,  too,  had  added  its  charm  to  instruct 
the  eye  and  the  mind  ;  and  the  benefits  of  primary  ed- 
ucation in  the  free  public  schools,  one  of  the    crown- 
ing glories. of  social  life,  had  also  assisted   to  bring  to 
this  poor  wretch  the  bliss  of  literary    enjoyment,    by 
which  man  can  lommunicatc  with  man    from    distant 
climes,  or  transmit  the  beauteous    thought   from    age 
to  age.      Here,  with  all  these  social    advantages,   the 
homeless  beggnr-woman    enjoyed  the   delights   of  n 
sheet  of  illuHttations,  that  although  a  piece  of  cast  off 


^*''f^^-^.'#r^'^ 


MBMaWf«V*(fcyWii|i9«iM»- V  FiS««*>f»--'^ 


7^ 


"THE  BROTHER." 


i\  .' 


waste  of  our  high  civilization,  gave  to  this  impoverish- 
ed being  the  luxurious  idea  of  the  lovely  costumes  made 
for  her  more  fortunate  sisters  by  the  famous  Worth 
of  Paris. 

"A  group  of  bright,  active  boys,  some  of  whom 
had  aspired  to  the  dignity  of  a-  paper  collar,  a  cigar- 
ette and  a  straw  hat,  were  collecting  together  to 
take  advantage  of  a  cheap  excursion  on  the  various 
steam  bodts  to  Coney  Island,  where  they  would  des- 
ecrate the  puritan  Sabbath  by  a  plunge  in  the  cool, 
refreshing  waves  of  old  Neptune's  dominion,  and  es- 
cape the  deadly  microbe  of  the  tenement  for  onehcp- 
pyday ;  enjoy  the  music  and  dance  on  the  boats,  that 
floated  their  myrfads  of  gay  flags  and  defied  the  pious 
opposition  of  the  wealthy  Sabbatarians,  who  at  this 
hour  had  scarcely  left  their  downy,  lact  covered  beds, 
or  were  sipping  their  coffee  and  burnt  brandy,  or  read- 
ing their  Sunday  paper,  while  enjoying,  in  the  refresh- 
ing odors  of  their  conservatories,  the  delicious  Hav- 
ana cigar,  before  the  hour  of  dressing  for  the  pious 
observances  of  the  holy  Sabbath  day. 

"  A  vast  theatre  of  seats  occupied  the  entire  side  of 
Washington  park.  The  buildings  opposite  were  gaily 
decorated  with  bunting  and  tho.i.sands  of  flags  hung 
from  roof  to  basemt^n*,  Intermingled  with  national 
emblems  and  portraits  of  the  first  and  last  Presidents 
of  the  Republic,  Passing  through  a  triumphal  arch 
were  many  people  answering  the  call  to  religious  Hcr- 
vice.  From  the  numerous  bells  and  c  himes  mellow 
tones  filled  the  serene  air,  as  they  rang  out  from 
campaniles  of  elegant  stone  churches  whose  architerf 


':•;;,  t'i, 


s  impoverish - 
jstumes  made 
mous    Worth 

me  of  whom 
liar,  a  cigar- 
together  to 
m  the  various 
y  would  des- 

in  the  cool, 
ion,  and  es- 
t  for  one  hcp- 
le  boats,  that 
fied  the  pious 

who  at  this 
covered  beds, 
indy,  or  read- 
n  the  refresh - 
L^Hcious  Hav- 
for   the  pious 

entire  side  of 
itc  were  gaily 
jf  flags  hung 
A'ith  national 
St  Presidents 
itimphal  arch 
religious  sef- 
limes  mellon? 
ng  out  from 
ose  architer^ 


'■'■■<  ■  KJ^-i 


"TIIK  BKOTIIER. 


n 


ural  members  rose  in   graceful    lines,    high    over   the 
Mosaic    floors    luxuriously    carpeted,   and   furnished 
pews,  embroidered  .-.ilk  velvet  kneeling    cushions  and 
prayer  books  bound  in  fretted  gold  and  silver.      Ele- 
gantly  attired    men,    women    and    children,    walked 
slowly  through  the  passages  and  up  the  aisles,  filing 
into  the  pews  with  quiet  dignity ;    many  kneeling  and 
bowing  their  heads  in  prayer.     Faint  tones    from   or- 
gan pipes    began    to   fill    the   auditorium,    gradually 
swelling  and  dying,  awakening  with  their  studied    vi- 
brations, exalted  thoughts  and  emotions.  The  sounds 
gradually  increased  in  power  and  volume,  filling   the 
vast  arv^a,  vibrating  the  base,  roof  and   arches  ;  their 
mJghty  burst  of  tone  joined  by  a  chorus   of  voices  in 
a  grand  hymn  to   Almighty   God.      Sweet   voices  of 
women  blending  in  perfect  chord,  followed  the  swell  of 
sound,  infusing  into  the  soul  ideas  of  heavenly  beauty. 
These  were  joined  by  manly  baritone  and  bass,  through 
a  pssionate    and    di  consolate    appeal,   which    finally 
ceased,  the  cadence  carried  away  by   the  fainter  and 
fainter,  dying  tones  of  the    organ.      In  fine    cultured 
voice  rose  the  in        iHon    The  holy  man  announcing, 
'  The  earth  is  tl  1   ,    and  the   fwUne.Hs  thereof.' 

Chant  followed  prayer  and  prayet  followed  ciiant, 
leaving  a  happy  and  restful  impression  on  the  spirit. 
Again  the  holy  man  with  sweet  upturned  face  preached 
the  beatitudes  of  the  Nazarene  :  'Blessed  are  the  poor 
in  spirit,  for  they  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God.' 
Eloquently  portraying  the  beauties  and  applications 
of  the  Savior's  teachings,  he  described  the  sad  life 
of  the    nan  of  many    sorrows    and    acquainted   with 


.'N"'il 


HBOHM 


mmm 


^'! 


7« 


"THK  BROTIIKR." 


T 


grief.  Finally  dwelling  upon  the  happiness  of  their 
worldly  condition  and  the  necessity  of  charity  towards 
the  poor.  The  holy  man  rose  to  a  great  height  of  el- 
oquence in  his  peroration  on  charity  ;  and  pronouncing 
a  benediction  on  all  his  hearers,  he  dismissed  the  con- 
gregation, the  sounds  of  the  grand  organ  dying  away 
as  they  left. 

•'  The  scene  at  the  exit  was  a  study.  Stiff  dignified 
men  and  matrons  filed  out,  with  a  loftiness  and  state- 
liness  painful  to  the  observer.  Young  men,  each 
carrying  a  heavy  cane,  and  soft,  sweet  maidens,  walk- 
ed away  with  each  other  modestly  and  pleasantly.  A 
contented  expression  rested  upon  every  countenance, 
as  though  duty  had  been  performed  and  conscience 
satisfied.  Sublime  music,  grand  and  elegant  surround- 
ings, the  beauties  of  virtue  and  the  pleasing  prospect 
of  further  duty  to  the  requirements  of  charity,  calmly 
rested  the  spirit  as  they  went  to  their  elegant  homes, 
to  dine,  to  sleep,  and  to  prepare  for  the  social  enjoy- 
ments of  the  evening. 

"To  avoid  the  crowd  of  people  coming  from  the  lec- 
tures of  the  Ethical  Society  and  the  Anti-poverty  meet- 
ings, we  turned  the  corner  sauntering  up  one  street  and 
down  another,  observing  here  and  there  evidences  of 
the  good  spirit  of  man,  in  the  signs  placed  on  some  of 
the  buildings :  St.  Mary's  Lodging  House,  for  Respect- 
able, Young,  Homeless  Women,  out  of  Work,' '  Char- 
ity Eating  and  Soup  House,'  'Children  Cared  for  While 
their  Mothers  are  at  Work,'  'Board  of  Foreign  Missions' 
'  New  York  Diet  Kitchen  for  the  Sick  Poor,'  '  Midnight 
Refuge  for  Homeless  Girls,' and  others  that  brought  me 


"TUF.  KKOIHKR. 


79 


ncss  of  their 
arity  towards 
height  of  el- 
pronouncing 
ssed  the  con- 
1  dying  away 

Stiff  dignified 
!ss  and  statc- 
f  men,  each 
lidens,  walk- 
leasantly.  A 
countenance, 
d  conscience 
int  surround- 
ling  prospect 
irity,  calmly 
gant  homes, 
iocial   enjoy- 

from  the  lec- 
(overty  meet- 
ne  street  and 
evidences  of 
d  on  some  of 
for  Respect- 
'ork,' '  Char- 
ed for  While 
:ign  Missioiis" 
r,'  'Midnight 
t  brought  me 


many  interrogations  from  my  strange  acquaintances. 

"Do  the    ■  wealthy  people  contribute  freel'  to  cha- 
rity?" asked  the  tall  Washington-like  man. 

•"Yes  sir.  The  private  charitable  institutions  of  this 
city  exceed  jK-rhaps  anything  in  the    world    and   are 
supported  liberally  by  the  wealthy  class,  many    >fwhom 
devote  their  time  and  sacrifice  their  comfort  to  it,  from 
a  .  eligious  sense  of  duty.     Their  labors  in  this  direct- 
ion are  worthy  of  the  highest  praise.     One    hundred 
and  thirty  thousand  dollars  per  annum  is  the  expense 
of  the  out  door  division  of  one  notable  institution,  oc- 
cupying an  entire  block,  devoted  to  thecare  of  found- 
lings. The  basket  to  receive  them  hangs  out  all  night 
and  is  supplied  with  over   one    thousand    babies    per 
annum.     This  is  a  large  per  cent  of  the  population  for 
one  establishment.     How  many  for   the    other   insti- 
tutions, God   inly  know-s.     One  merchant,  a  Mr  Crit- 
tcndon,  has  devoted  his  life  to  reforming  the  unfortunate 
poor  of  the  slums,  which  we  saw  la^  night.     Throvigh 
his  efforts,  assisted  by  many  others  equally  wortl- , ,  the 
Florence  Missions  have  been  established.     They  have 
assisted  many  tramps  and  street  girls  to  resist  the  de- 
grading influences  that  surround  them,  but  from  which 
<hey  cannot  fully.escape,  under  our  present  conditions. 
No  spot  is  so  vile  that  these  saintly    people    will    not 
penetrate.  Vv-ith  a  strength  ind  boldness  born  of  \  con- 
viction that  their  lives  and  efforts  belong  to  the    Div- 
in-  Master's  cause.     The    outcast    with    that   natural 
feeling  actuating  every  unfortunate  human  being,    re- 
reives  th  m  gladly,  or  at  the  least  treats  them  with 
respect.  .  v 


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80 


"THE  BROTHER." 


'"Are  they  gaining  on  this  condition  of  poverty  and 
degradation?'  he  asked.  >>    ,;    ;-    ' 

" '  How  can  they.''  I  reph'ed.  '  More  of  the  laborers 
are  being  sunk  every  day  into  poverty,  and  more  of 
the  small  merchants  and  trades  people  are  following 
them  on  the  downward  road.  These  latter  become 
clerks,  managers,  and  foremen,  to  the  wealthier  con- 
cerns. But  most  of  them  are  crowded  into  the  labor 
market;  forcing  out  the  inferior,  or,  older  workmen, 
salesmen  and  saleswomen,  by  working  cheaper,  or 
by  superior  knowledge  of  the  business  management. 
I  have  looked  everywhere  through  the  factories  and 
stores  to  find  wh:it  becomes  of  the  grey  haired  work- 
men or  work-women ;  but  only  the  young  and  cheap 
are  to  be  seen  in  the  ranks  of  industry.  What  becomes 
of  the  grey  haired  laborer  I  cannot  imagine.  There 
are  a  few  quite  old  men  seen  here  and  there,  but  the 
strong,  grey  haired,  men  and  women,  laborers  of  mid- 
dle age,  or  a  little  past  it,  art  no  where  to  be  seen  in 
the  busy  hives  of  industry.  Among  the  great  army  of 
tramps,  there  are  many  and,  if  you  will  remember,  the 
most  wretched  and  besotted  people  y  ju  saw  last  night 
lying  around  the  streets,  were  intelligent  looking  men 
that  I  suspect  to  be  of  this  class." 


■5*ds1Swi*,ittASfe;v;fcw4.-    ifc^i- 


.;te*v&*ji-i?- 


of  poverty  and 

f  the  laborers 
and  more  of 
are  following 
atter  become 
wealthier  con- 
nto  the  labor 
ler  workmen, 
^cheaper,  or 
management, 
factories  and 
haired  work- 
ig  and  cheap 
iVhat  becomes 
igine.  There 
here,  but  the 
borers  of  mid- 
to  be  seen  in 
great  army  of 
emember,  the 
saw  last  night 
t  looking  men 


^i.f)..»f  ^"  .        •«>  «  J-MWS^PifvT^ii^mrkr^  »-is^i.<«ijiii8Mr<i^''ifkJ>'Ms^^ 


f 


.< 


I 


It 


CHAPTER  VIA:  -"",^C'M«  '^'--i- 

SUNDAY  IN   CENTRAL  PARK. 


^?I;'.;^vi'k^-|1';  ?■■■'*''■ '1^3 


"A  circle  of  humanity  surrounded  the  basin  of  a 
handsome  fountain  in  Central  Park,  watching  the  spray 
and  splash  of  water  jets,  playing  ^'"om  around  the  feet 
of  bronz;e  cherub.".,  dolphins,  and  lilies,  as  it  sparkled 
and  fell  in  liquid  pearls  with  Iridescence  of  a  thousand 
hues,  the  warm  sunlight  dancing  upon  its  bubbling  sur- 
face, which  glinted  with  the  sheen  of  numberless  gold 
fish,  joyously  sporting  in  the  clear,  sweet  water  of  the 
monster  basin.  Little  children  watched  the  glitter  of 
these  pretty  ornaments  and  clapped  their  hands  in 
childish  glee,  as  they  darted  for  the  crumbs  of  bread 
thrown  them.  On  the  lawn  were  seated  a  number  of 
worn  looking  women.  Their  babies  lying  on  the  grass 
kicking  up  their  little  legs  and  chuckling  over  the  toys 
with  which  the  watchful  mothers  provided  them.  The 
monotony  of  life  in  their  close  apartments  in  the  city, 
was  here  relieved,  while  airing  their  offspring  in  the 
pure,  balmy  atr.  The  moving  groups  of  life  were  ever 
passing  through  the  high  balustrades  and  disappearing 
down  the  steps,  where  the  winged,  bronze  angel  and 
fountain  of  cherubs,  relieved  themselves  again.st  the 
1 1 


i 


J,' 


t 


U-i 


82 


"THK  BROTHEU.' 


background  of  the  foliage-covered  hills  and  the  blue 
waters  of  the  lake,  dotted  with  swans  and  pleasure 
doats,  that  flitted  here  and  there  in  graceful  motion 
upon  its  mirror-like  bosom.  On  its  shores,  through 
the  winbimg  paths,  the  groups  of  people  reappeared 
diminished  by  drstance,  the  lost  details  of  the  mass 
made  up  by  the  pleasant  color  of  their  costumes,  that 
were  still  brilliant  against  the  atmospheric  toned  green 
of  the  spring  foliage. 

"The  vistas  and  openings  that  revealed  the  flitting 
groups  of  |)eople  seeking  novelty  of  scene,  or  exerci.se, 
were  further  enlivened  by  the  dashing  of  the  fine, 
mounted  police  and  their  elegant  horses;  by  the  chil- 
drens'  swings  and  merry-go-rounds;  by  the  strangers 
to  see  the  inaugural  fete  of  tomorrow,  and  the  lively 
costumes  of  the  soldiers  who  were  to  participate  in 
the  military  parade.  Around  on  every  side  flowering 
plants  and  trees  displayed  then  pink  and  white  blos- 
soms, that  blended  with  the  light  purple  lanrel,  in 
mass,  against  the  lawns  and  groves,  where  red  cos- 
tumes were  dotted  here  and  there  on  the  green.  At 
the  roots  of  the  full  blown  Rhododendrons  and  wild 
roses,  the  refined  embellishments  of  the  chaste,  ten- 
der, cold  and  purple  Iris,  rising  from  its  bed  of  stiff, 
harsh  flags,  that  were  kissed  by  the  delicate  bloom 
of  the  frail  Spirea,  were  abundant.  The  Casino  was 
filled  with  f>eople  who  sought  its  thick  shelter  of  vines 
as  a  protection  from  the  afternoon  sun.  Around  its 
stone  basement  were  living  decorations  of  the  swing- 
ing legs  of  hundreds  of  boys  listening  to  the  band 
that  delighted  the  people  with  classic  music  and  pop- 


"THE  BROTIIKK.'* 


83 


and  the  blue 
and  pleasure 
aceful  motion 
>res,  through 
ie  reappeared 
of  the  mass 
ostumes,  that 
ic  toned  green 

ed  the  flitting 
e,  or  exercise, 
of  the  fine, 
5;  by  the  chil- 
the  strangers 
and  the  lively 
participate  in 
side  flowering 
id  white  blos- 
ple  lanrel,  in 
here  red  cos- 
le  green.  At 
ons  and  wild 
:  chaste,  ten- 
5  bed  of  stiff, 
jlicatc  bloom 
;  Casino  was 
helter  of  vines 
Around  its 
of  the  swing- 
to  the  band 
lusic  and  pop- 


ular airs  from  its  handsomely  decorated  pavilion.  Be- 
low the  moving  mass  of  beings  marched  quietly  and 
orderly  up  and  down  the  Mall,  and  on  the  side  pas- 
sages, were  pretty  groups  of  lisping  children  enjoy- 
ing the  ride  in  toy  carriages  drawn  by  goats ;  while 
from  the  shady  bushes  a  fearless  bunny  looked  out 
upon  their  innocent  mirth  and  enjoyment.  Along 
the  drive  sped  the  bicycle  athletes,  exilirated  by  the 
rapidity  of  their  rapid  flight  along  the  perfect  roads, 
darting  by  the  droves  and  "  droves  of  carriages  con- 
taining their  burdens  of  wealth  and  splendor,  who 
were  enjoying  the  balmy  air  and  the  charming, 
changing  scenes  on  the  vvinding  drives.  Beautiful 
young  maidens,  stately,  white-haired  d^mes,  in  gold 
spectacles;  silken-haired  dogs;  fat,  money-making 
men,  lollinf  on  soft  cushions  shielding  their  eyes 
ft  om  the  glare  of  the  sun  with  rich  fans  inlaid  with 
gold  ornaments  and  jewels.  Young  bloods  on  bob- 
tailed  horses,  passed  and  repassed;  and  the  pride  of 
life  enjoyed  its  blossoming  time  on  the  dustless  drives 
of  the  Metropolitan  Park,  amid  the  enchantments  of 
lake,  hill  and  grove. 

"  The  music  from  the  pavilion  lent  its  ravishing 
strains  to  this  enchanting  scene  and  perfect  day.  de- 
lighting Jie  moving  crowd  on  the  Mall,  side  aisles, 
and  Casino.  The  sparkling,  sweet  compositions  of 
Donozetti  seemed  to  predominate  in  the  programme  of 
the  day,  and  the  star  spangled  banner  that  embellished 
the  stands  and  hung  in  festoons  from  the  trees  over- 
head was  not  forgotten. 

"  Stone  vases  and  hanging  flowers  decorated  the 


84 


•'THF  HKOTIIF.R." 


walks,  and  Beethovt-n  in  bronze  looked  with  stern  in- 
trospective gaze  upon  the  scene;  his  sweet  soul  sym- 
bolized by  a  statue  of  the  Muse  striking  the  lyre  and 
gazing  upward  into  his  listening,  dreaming  face,  that 
was  turned  toward  a  long  vtsta  through  an  avenue  of 
trees,  sprinkled  along  its  base  with  moving  life  and 
color,  shaded  into  subdued  tones  by  the  dark  green 
arch  of  the  branches  overhead,  and  terminated  by  a 
ground  of  light  greenish  gray  on  distant  foliage,  illu- 
minated by  sun-light,  against  which  the  Hard  of  Avon 
mounted  on  a  pedestal,  stood  aione,  thougtful,  sublime. 

"The  people  of  the  slum?  were  not  here,  for  it  re- 
quires ten  cents  to  ride  on  the  cars  or  elevated  rail- 
roads. Their  single  working  suit  orf  clothes  would  not 
add  to  the  elegance  of  the  scene  ;  a  fact  of  which  they 
are  conscious.  The  gilded  contrast  of  the  drive  to 
their  condition  is  painful  to  them,  and  with  their  slight- 
ly more  fortunate  brothers  and  sisters  who  possess  a 
cheap,  clean,  extra  Sunday  suit,  they  decline  to  mix, 
preferring  to  sit  on  their  garbage  boxes  in  the  purlieus 
of  the  tenement  and  enjoy  the  decomposed  matter  of 
the  gutter,  as  the  poisonous  exhalations  arise  from 
grease  or  stale  beer.  Besides  the  clean  portion  of  the 
community  seen  here  do  not  want  the  rudeness,  rags, 
or  vermin,  of  the  slums,  and  would  leave  the  Park 
should  its  pleasant  shades  be  invaded  by  the  mighty 
army  of  the  impoverished  and  degraded. 

"On  the  drive  at  the  end  of  the  high  balustrade,  a 
low,  open  carriage  and  handsome  team  of  bays  halt- 
ed. On  the  box  sat  a  splendid  looking  driver  in  liv- 
ery and  boots,  who  held    the    lines  in  his    left    hand, 


r.^S^'^'*^ 


with  stern  in- 
eet  soul  sym- 

the  lyre  and 
ing  face,  that 

an  avenue  of 
iving  life  and 
:  dark  green 
ninated  by  a 
It  foliage,  illu- 
Hard  of  Avon 
ijtful,  sublime, 
ere,  for  it  rc- 
elevated  rall- 
ies would  not 

of  which  they 
the  drive  to 
;h  their  slight- 
'ho  possess  a 
cline  to  mix, 
in  the  purlieus 
sed  matter  of 
IS  arise  from 
portion  of  the 
jdeness,  rags, 
ive  the  Park 
y  the  mighty 

balustrade,  a 
of  bays  halt- 
driver  in  liv- 
is    left    hand. 


^•|5r? 


"THK  HROTIIF.R. 


85 


palm  upward  •,  body  erect,  legs  parallel,  the  butt  of 
his  whip  standing  out  at  an  oblique  angle,  held  by 
the  right  hand  on  a  line  with  the  •Ibow.  This  is  the 
conventional  style  for  a  driver:  and  this  one,  who  re- 
mained for  perhaps  twenty  minutes,  where  he  halted, 
never  moved  head,  neck  or  muscle,  but  sat  as  though 
carved  in  stone.  The  carriage  was  occupied  by  a 
man  of  about  fifty  years  of  age,  with  hard,  rigid  Wall 
Street  features,  and  black  beard  well  mixed  with  grey. 
He  sat  almost  motionless  listening  to  the  music;  but 
on  his  hard,  stony  face  and  masked  expressionless 
eyes,  no  trace  of  emotion  or  pleasurable  enjoyment 
could  be  seen.  His  gloved  hand  hang  loosely  over 
the  leather-cushioned  side,  which  at  length  he  waived 
to  the  statue- )ikc  driver,  who  turned  the  heads  of  his 
graceful,  spirited  bays  and  drove  rapidly  away,  as  the 
band  was  playing:  'My  Country,  'tis  of  Thee  I  Sing.' 

"The  moving  crowd  in  front,  rear  and  sides  of  the 
music  pavilion,  were  an  orderly,  tame,  pale,  better 
class  of  industrial  people,  who  were  here  in  their  best 
clothes.  Not  one  person  of  the  wealthy  class  was  vis- 
ible among  them;  these  confining  themselves  strictly 
to  the  carriages  on  the  drives,  or  entertaining  them- 
selves elsewhere.  My  Washington-like  companion 
remarked  that  but  very  few  were  over  thirty  years  of 
age,  and  inquired  if  the  elder  portion  of  the  people  did 
not  enjoy  the  Park  and  the  music. 

"I  replied  that  I  could  not  answer  that  question  ; 
that  this  was  the  visible  standard  of  human  life,  always 
and  everywhere ;  that  I  had  often  puzzled  over  this 
question  which  forced  itself  upon  my  observation,  but 


M 


s^m*s»*^'^'-'^''' 


L 


*        "THK  HROTIIKk." 


as  yet.  I  could  not  unravel  the  mystery,  "/hether  the 
period  of  human  life  had  under  our  modern  system 
shortened  its  averafje.  I  was  well  aware  that  one  half 
of  the  community  or  of  the  world,  is  out  of  sight,  on 
beds  of  sickness,  disease  and  death,  and  that  it  is  the 
vigorous  and  strong  side  that  presents  itself  always  to 
the  view  ;  that  this  side  again  is  divided  into  a  mass  of 
struggling  miserables,  and  a  few  of  the  luxurious  class  ; 
so  that  from  my  own  observations  I  was  gradually  be- 
ing driven  to  the  conclusion,  that  only  the  young  and 
active  survived  awhile  the  awful  pressure  of  our  social 
state.  But  this  young  dispirited  looking  mass  of  people 
moved  up  and  down  the  Mall,  in  the  order  prescribed 
by  the  police  authorities,  who  lined  each  side  at  reg- 
ular distances,  the  grey  and  gold  of  their  uniforms 
prettily  mingling  with  the  various  colors  of  the  cos- 
tumes of  the  people,  as  the  sun  light  here  and  there 
broke  through  the  calm  and  spacious  arch  of  thick 
foliage  overhead,  throwing  its  rays  across  the  shadows 
of  the  crowd,  cutting  into  long  lines  of  light,  the  even 
surface  of  the  extensive  and  well  kept  lawns,  remind- 
ing us  of  some  of  the  pictures  of  the  Royal  gardens  of 
P'rance,  in  her  times  of  greatest  luxury,  under  the 
reign  of  Louis  XIV. 

"  The  shadows  in  the  dense  foliage  grew  deeper  and 
the  dark  tree  trunks  relieved  themselves  faintly  against 
the  evening  mists  that  began  to  rise  in  their  depths. 
The  mass  of  the  people  gradually  lost  its  brilliant  color 
as  the  parting  life  and  light  of  nature  regretfully  look- 
ed back,  throwing  his  slanting  beams  upon  a  retreating 
world.     The  bloom  of  nature  lost  its  tone.     Still  the 


.■#«f!ni=*- 


■■m 


"THE  BKOTHKK." 


•7 


n'hether  the 
jdern  system 
,'  that  one  half 
:  of  sight,  on 

that  it  is  the 
tself  always  to 
into  a  mass  of 
xurious  class ; 

gradually  be- 
he  young  and 
e  of  our  social 
nass  of  people 
jer  prescribed 
:h  side  at  reg- 
heir  uniforms 
ars  of  the  cos- 
re  and  there 
irch  of  thick 
;s  the  shadows 
ight,  the  even 
awns,  remind- 
ya\  gardens  of 
ry,    under  the 

ew  dee  per  and 
faintly  against 
their  depths. 
!  brilliant  color 
gretfully  look- 
on  a  retreating 
>ne.     Still  the 


wealth  rxolled  on  the  drive  and  as  we  passed  away  with 
the  moving  mass  the  breeze  wafted  to  our  ears  Ine 
fading  sounds  of  the  band  piaying: 'The  Flag  That 
Made  Us  Free.'" 


'       CHAPTER  VII. 

SACRED  COKOERTS.      POLITICS.  \ 

"  A  moderation  of  the  atmospheric  temperature  as 
the  God  of  day  sunk  in  the  western  horizon,  rendered 
the  promenade  in  the  city  unusually  inviting.  The 
freshened  streets  after  some  days  of  rain  were  assisted 
by  the  extra  efforts  of  the  authorities  to  make  every- 
thing attractive  along  the  route  of  the  procession  that 
was  to  display  military  and  civic  pomp  during  the  fol- 
lowing three  days.  Crowds  filled  the  streets  compo- 
sed of  strangers  from  everywhere.  Military  coptumes 
were  abundant,  and  the  anticipation  of  the  fete  seemed 
to  infuse  life  into  the  conversation  of  the  passers-by. 
At  lervgth  darkness  settled  upon  the  city  and  the  el- 
ectric lights  began  to  gleam  out  from  all  quarters. 
Quietness  was  only  disturbed  by  thetrampon  the  pave- 
ments and  the  periodic  rush  of  the  elevated  and  street 
cars.  At  the  great  halls  and  theatres,  sacred  con- 
certs were  announced,  and  choice  compositions  of  the 
Masters  were  artistically  rendered  to  appreciative,  but 
generally  unorthodox  audiences.  In  the  commoner 
portions  of  the  city  sacred  concerts  of  a  lower    grade 


■■;'ii^0ssf^«"^^^^ 


'^i.lVlr.CT'.fr/  - 


mmmHift 


88 


"THE  BROTHER. 


were  uiven  and  th«:  song  an«l  banjo  with  character  sketch- 
es, amused  the  coarser  tastes  of  the  unblessed  poor. 

"Mr*  Norton  s|)oke  at  the  Nationalist  Club  on  her- 
Iditary  crirrc  proceeding  from  the  false  and  dependent 
condition  of  mothers  under  our  social  system,  illustra- 
ting with  her  vast  experience  among  the  criminal  class- 
'^s,  and  advocating  the  economic  virtue  of  the  National 
care  of  Woman  as  the  foundation  of  society.  At  an- 
otlcr  hall  the  Nun  of  Kenmarc  was  exposing  the 
crimes  of  the  Priest.s  against  th  chastity  of  the  Nuns. 
The  great  hall  of  Cooper  Union  echoed  with  the  elo- 
quence of  the  excommunicated  priest,  Mc  Glynn,  who 
thundered  for  free  public  schools  and  he  Declaration 
of  Independence.  The  Socialists  celebrated  the  Sab- 
bath evening  by  discussing  Karl  Marx  and  his  great 
work  on  capital.  The  Anarchists  were  proclaiming 
the  virtues  of  individual  freedom  And  the  Single 
Taxists  offered  the  economic  philosophy  of  removing 
the  taxes  from  industry.  Everywhere  society  was  alive 
with  agitation.  A  restless  state  seemed  to  pervade  the 
air.  Dissatisfaction  with  public  atTairs  appeared  to  be 
universal.  The  impression  left  upon  the  mind  was 
tl  at  humanity  was  in  a  ferment  because  of  the  ever 
present  contrasts  of  splendor  and  woe  suggesting  so- 
cial, volcanic  dangers  that  annoyed  the  spirit. 

"Opening  a  side  door  in  a  quiet  front  and  proceed- 
ing along  a  psssage,  then  turning  to  the  right,  we 
found  ourselves  in  a  large  and  well  lighted  hall,  full  of 
men  and  womer  in  a  din  of  conversation  ;  while  the 
forbidden  Sunday  beer  flowed  in  abundance  propor- 
tionate to  the  prohibition.     On  a  high  stage  a  band  of 


.«" 


■v^n 


,-.v5 


"TIIK  HKOTIIKK. 


89 


r.ictcrskctch- 
l)lt.'S8ed  poor, 
(.'lubon  hcr- 
lul  dcpondt-nt 
stem,  il  lustra - 
riminal  class- 
)fthc  National 
:iety.     At  an- 
exposin^'    the 
y  of  the  Nuns, 
with  the  elo- 
Ic  Glynn,  who 
le  Declaration 
ated  the  Sab- 
and  his    great 
p    proclaiminj; 
id    the   Single 
'  of  removing 
ciety  was  alive 
:o  pervade  the 
ppeared  to  be 
le    mind    was 
of  the    ever 
uggesting  su- 
spirit. 

and  proceed - 
he  right,  we 
;ed  hall,  full  of 
n  ;  while  the 
ance  propor- 
age  a  band  of 


faded  and  juded  bcautie.s  attired  in  cheap  costumes  of 
showy  color,  performed  finely  on  instrumenU  varied 
with  songs  in  cultured,  but  somewhat  forceful  style, 
rendered  necessary,  perhaps,  by  the  din  and  noise  of 
the  audience,  which  was  enjoying  its  weekly  release 
from  the  eternal  prison  of  toil.  .i.^:}r^-  ''iv>  ••!►'■■.'.(  U''' 
"At  a  table  sat  a  group  of  men  earnestly  discussing 
economic  ({uestions,  with  which  they  seemed  extra- 
ordinarily familiar,  and  upon  which  there  appeared  to 
be  divergence  of  views.  Some  talked  dogmatically  and 
excitedly,  while  others  were  remarkably  cool  and  col- 
lected, and  reasoned  with  a  system  of  logic  that  com- 
jH)rtcd  strangely  with  their  apparent  conditions  and 
surroundings.  The  boldness  and  clearness  of  state- 
ment, coupled  with  an  astonishing  familiarity  with  the 
most  profound  economic  writers  and  thinkers  of  all 
lands  and  times,  could  not  but  arrest  attention.  Quo- 
tations from  history,  statistics,  comrfLf'ce,  political 
government  in  all  its  forms,  seemed  as  common  to  them 
a?  the  multiplication  table  to  a  school  boy;  though 
their  arguments  were  greatly  characterized  by  strong 
epithets  to  one  another,  yet  there  seemed  ..o  to  be  no 
more  ofTense  than  an  occasional  sti  rdy  objection. 
Adam  Smith,  Ricardo,  McCullough,  John  Stuart 
Mill,  Herbert  Spencer,  Godwin,  Patrick  Dove,  Henry 
George,  Karl  Marx,  Groenlund  and  Edward  Bellamy. 
Th?  French  economic  writers;  such  as  Quesnay,  Tur- 
got,  Mirabeau,  Condorcet,  Dujxtnt,  and  the  German 
pr.^fessional  Socialists,  and  the  Individualists,  or  An- 
archists, were  quoted  freely.  The  communism  of  early 
Christianity,  was  given  with  a  profusion  that  amazed 
12  ."■'.--;;■" 


■t  I ! 

r- 
I, 


90 


THE  BROTHER."' 


US  The  main  point  of  discussion  seemed  to  be  in  ref- 
erence to  various  propositiona  for  the  destruction  of 
social  disparity  and  the  abolition  of  involuntary  pov- 
erty. Some  taking  the  side  of  the  George  theory,  as 
advocated  in  the  land  value  tax,  for  the  destruction  of 
rent ;  considering  that  its  achievement  would  destroy 
the  power  of  monopoly  to  absorb  production,  and  open 
suflficient  natural  opportunities  for  labor  to  correct  the 
present,  unsatisfactory  state  of  things.  Others  stoutly 
contended  with  much  learned  authority  that  an  entire 
change  should  be  made.  To  the  commonality,  or 
nationalization  of  land,  should  be  added,  the  common- 
ality, or  nationalization  of  railroads,  telegraphs,  tele- 
phones, coal  mines,  oil  wells,  electric  power  and  light, 
gas  works,  dwellings,  am'  everything  else  should  go 
to  the  workers  who  produce  them;  and  that  no  one 
should  hold  exclusive  owner.«hip  of  anything  conducive 
to  the  public  benefit.  These  latter  reasoners  claimed 
that  with  the  capital  created  by  the  workers  in  the 
hands  of  a  few  persons,  the  iaborers  could  not  reap  a 
just  reward  and  that  they  would  be  no  better  off  with 
free  access  to  the  land  than  without  it.  One  of  them 
presenting  the  proposition  in  regard  to  the  land  that 
sustains  humanity  and  the  powers  that  enable  pro- 
duction ;  'that  if  it  requires  two  things  to  produce  a 
thing,  it  is  useless  to  argue  which  is  the  most  import- 
ant, land  and  machinery,  or  land  and  labor,  or  earth 
and  the  forces  of  production.'  These  arguments  were 
again  contested  by  the  land  value  taxists,  who  claimed 
that  monopoly  could  not  exist  with  public  access  to  the 
primary  factor,  land  ;  bringing  forward  many  reasons  to 


a«fe^*  ,«6»4  4  «w®a*«-- 


emed  to  be  in  ref- 
hc  destruction  of 
involuntary  pov- 
jeorge  theory,  as 
the  destruction  of 
nt  would  destroy 
duction,  and  open 
bor  to  correct  the 
's.  Others  stoutly 
rity  that  an  entire 
commonality,  or 
Jed.  the  common- 
telegraphs,  tele- 
c  power  and  light, 
g  else  should  go 
and  that  no  one 
lything  conducive 
reasoners  claimed 
workers  in  the 
coulcJ  not  reap  a 
no  better  off  with 
it.  One  of  them 
I  to  the  land  that 
:hat  enable  pro- 
gs to  produce  a 
the  most  import- 
id  labor,  or  earth 
e  arguments  were 
cists,  who  claimed 
ublic  access  to  the 
d  many  reasons  to 


'■■  a'.'%#w»»-'iwyg^?i)yM!wgs^,yggiy» 


"THE  BROTHER. 


91 


sustain  their  view;  such  as,  the  impossibility  of  over 
population,  and  the  impossibility  cf  over  production. 

"This  discussion  bev.ame  quite  interesting  to  me, 
not  only  on  account  of  the  unexpected  discovery  of 
learning  among  these  people,  for  I  imagined  such 
knowledge  was  confined  to  professors  of  political  econ- 
omy, and  access  to  such  information  could  only  be  had  , 
in  costly  libraries.  My  knowledge  of  these  subjects, 
while  not  profound,  was  fair,  as  a  general  student. 
On  the  later  views  of  the  new  economists,  I  had  been 
somewhat  careful  to  inform  myself,  but  was  as  yet  in 
doubt  as  to  the  solid  value  of  their  conclusions, 

"A  denial  of  some  point    brought  from  the    pocket 
cf  one  of  these  men,  a    worn  and    dirty  copy  of  Pro- 
gress and  Poverty,  to      '  ich  the  chapter,    page,  and 
even  the  lines  of  successive  arguments,    were   turned 
with  the  precission  of  a  scientist.     From    the    pocket 
of  another  carae  Marx's  treatise  on  Capital,  with  fim- 
ilar  results.     1  had  never  seen  such  a  display  of  eco- 
nomic knowledge    before'and  least  of  all    expected  it 
from  such  a  crushed  lot  of  toilers  as  were    before  me. 
All  seened  of  one  accor-i  in  regard  to  present   social 
evils ;  all   seemed    opposed  to    Individualism,  and  in 
tolerable  ha-mony;  but  the  pc'nt    of  partial,  or  radi- 
cal reform  was  evidently  the  ro  k  on  which  they  split. 
"  At  -another  table  sat  a  numler  of  men    discussing 
the  way   that    each  had    voted  at   the    last   election. 
One  said  that  he  had  voted  four  different  tickets ;  the 
Democratic,  Republican,  Prohibitionist  and    Socialist. 
'"Why  did   you  vote  for  a    prohibitionist  on   youf 
ticket.?'  asked  oiie  of  his  companions.       '  You  do    not 


11 


'i0> 


"THE  BROTHER." 


believe  in  prohibition !' 

•"I  know  I  don't.     But  I  want  it  to  succeed  for  all 
that.' 
J.  "'Why?' 

" '  Because,  I  think  it  one  of  the  quickest  ways  to 
bring  public  attention,  either  to  the  question  of  the 
land  value  tax,  or,  the  nationalization  of  all  the  forces 
of  production.'  s        ;    ■ 

"'How  will  prohibition  bring  that  about.'' 

" '  It  will  bring  it  about  by  cutting  off  the  revenue 
of  the  government.  Then  we  will  have  it  like  the 
city  of  Hutchinson,  Kansas,  where,  to  laise  the  rev- 
enue, they  resorted  to  licensing  everyone  in  business, 
even  the  cab  men,  which  brought  on  a  fine  rumpus, 
and  forced  them  to  consider  the  taxing  of  land  values. 
That  brought  them  to  see  the  cat.  !t  will  bring  them 
also  to  the  want  of  revenue ;  like  Pittsburg,  where 
the  saloons  are  reduced  to  ninety-three,  and  the  rev- 
enue, this  year,  two  hundred  and  .sixty-eight  thousand 
dollars.  This  is  driving  the'm  to  tax  personal  prop- 
erty higher  and  the  kicking  is  going  on  delightfully. 
Their  attention,  too,  has  been  brought  to  the  land, 
and  lord  Shenley,  who  owns  a  large  part  of  the  city 
and  a  larger  part  unimproved,  over  which  the  city  is 
growing  fast,  for  which  he  pays  no  ta>;  worth  speak- 
ing of,  will  soon  be  obliged  to  pay  tax  according  to 
the  value  of  his  property;  that  will  curtail  somewhat 
the  stream  of  cash  that  flows  to  his  noble  pocket  in 
England,  and  help  to  support  the  city  and  communi- 
ty that  makes  him  rich.  As  soon  as  the  people  find 
out  how  easily  and  fairly  a  land  value  tax  can  be  col- 


I 


mmm 


ns 


icceed  for  all 


cest  ways  to 
estion  of  the 
all  the  forces 

)Ut?' 

the    revenue 
^e  it    like  the 
aise  the   rev- 
e  in  business, 
fine  rumpus, 
f  land  values. 
II  bring  them 
sburg,   where 
and   the  rev- 
Ight  thousand 
rsonal    prop- 
delightfully, 
to  the    land, 
rt  of  the  city 
ch  the  city  is 
vorth    speak- 
according  to 
ail  somewhat 
)Ie  pocket  in 
id  communi- 
:  people  find 
X  can  be  col- 


'THE  BROTHER. 


93 


lected,  the  question  will  be  settled  and  land  monopo- 
ly's doom  will  be  sealed.  The  rest  of  social  adjust- 
ments will  settle  themselves:  and  prohibition  will 
have  been  the  means  of  bringing  it  about.  That  is 
why  I  voted  the  Prohibition  ticket.' 

"'Well,  now  give  us  your    reasons    for   voting  the 
Republican  ticket.' 

"'I  voted  the  Republican  ticket  on  the  principle 
that  John  Stuart  Mill  states  in  his  economic  work, 
•that a  palliative,  or  partial  reforrr.,  is  worse  than  none 
at  all ;'  as  only  perpetuating  the  disease  by  nursing 
it  with  palliatives,  instead  of  going  at  its  root  and 
making  a  radical  cure.  For  this  reasoti  I  prefer  the 
di.sease  and  will  sustain  it,  so  as  to  either  kill  the 
national  patient,  or  see  it  work  to  such  a  horrible 
state,  that  terror  will  bring  an  attack  on  the  root  of 
the  disease.  That  is  why  I  voted  the  Republican 
ticket,  in  spite  of  the  outcry  against  monopolies  and 
trusts,  protective  tariffs,  high  prices,  paralyzed  labor 
and  poor  wages.  If  you  will  look  at  the  li.st  of  the 
factories  that  have  shut  down,  and  the  great  numb  jr 
of  laborers  thrown  out  of  employment  since  election 
time,  extending  to  late  spring,  when  every  one  is  usu- 
ally employed,  you  will  find  that  I  did  right,  and  the 
addition  to  the  army  of  desperate  men,  women  and 
children,  will  soon  bring  a  radical  cure  for  monopoly. 
Look  here!'  said  he,  pulling  from  his  pocket  a  pretty 
thick  note  book  written  neatly  in  tabulated  form.  Here 
is  a  list  of  mining  companies,  rail  roads,  mills,  factories 
and  shops,  gathered  from  reliable  newspapers.  Trade 
Union    and  Knights  of  Labor  reports.     There    is    no 


W^i 


rfii-Vti: '.*:•:> 


IS.-. 


m:'- 


t* 

w 


m-^-- 


'%- 


^;lt> . 


'.«.■ 


J. 


"THK  BROTHER. 


mistake  about  these,  for  I  have  taken  pains  to  be  sure 
they  are  correct.  This  list  commences  on  March  4th 
1889,  on  the  very  day  the  President  took  his  seat, 
and  I  intend  to  keep  it  up  for  the  next  four  years: 
On  March  4th.  5,000  Lehigh  coal  miners  thrown  out ; 
Brook's  Iron  Co.,  wages  reduced  7  to  12  per  cent.  ; 
Reading  Coal  Co.,  time  reduced  to  four  days  a  week  ; 
Mahoning  and  Shenango  Valley  Furnaces,  reduced 
10  per  cent;  Reading  Iron  Works,  failed,  2,500  men 
thrown  out ;  Oregon  Navigation  and  Rail  Way  Co., 
reduction,  10  per  cent. — strike;  Bakers'  strike  in  Chi- 
cago; C.  M.  &  St.  Paul  R.  R.,  employes  reduced  33 
percent;  Brooklyn  Rubber  Co.,  reduction,  lopercent.; 
C.  St.  Paul  &  Kansas  City.  R.  R.,  yard  employes  re- 
duced one  half ;  Miners  at  Scranton,  average  wages 
$10  per  month,  families  starving  ;  Militia  Co.  ordered 
to  put  down  strike  at  Braidwood,  Illinois;  5,000  men 
on  strike  at  Pittsburgh  Pa.' 

"'  Hold  on!'  said  one  of  the  men,  'you  are  not  going 
to  reav'  the  whole  list,  are  you?  It  will  take  until 
morning.'  %   »¥; 

,  "'Yes,  the  plot  is  thickening.  I  have  them  here  by 
the  hundreds  of  thousands  and  the  little  concerns  that 
I  cannot  get  amount  to  as  many  more.  You  all  know 
what  a  strike  and  riot  we  have  just  come  through  here, 
when  the  men  failed.  Those  who  swarmed  into  New 
York  from  every  quarter  and  took  their  places  at  the 
risk  of  tneir  lives  were  perhaps  worse  off.  and  might 
as  well  be  killed  as  die  of  starvation.  So  the  faster 
the  disease  develops  the  better.  That  is  why  I  voted 
the  monopoly  ticket' 


/ 


-Mf/^f^jtm^-ta^,^,.^,^ 


'   ,1.^.7, 


••  THK  HROTHKR. 


95 


ins  to  be  sure 
Jii  March  4tli 
ok    his    seat. 

four  years: 
thrown  out ; 
12  per  cent.  ; 
ays  a  week ; 
COS,  reduced 
:,500  men 
1  Way  Co., 
trike  in  Chi- 

reduced  33 
,  I  o  per  cent.; 
mployes  re- 
rage  wages 
Co,  ordered- 
;    5,000  men 

ire  not  going 
1    take    until 

:hem  here  by 
oncerns  that 
'^ou  all  know 
tirough  here, 
id  into  New 
laces  at  the 
and  might 
the  faster 
why  I  voted 


"One  young  man  explained  the  reason  why  most  pf 
his  friends  did  not  vote  the  Labor  ticket ;  claiming  that 
the  light  vote  was  no  evidence  at  the  polls  of  the 
strength  or  weakness  of  the  movement.  He  said  there 
were  forty-one  of  his  companions  that  loafed  during 
the  evening  in  a  shoemaker's  shop,  whose  names  were 
all  registered  on  the  wall,  that  through  his  influence, 
by  discussing  Henry  George's  book  Progress  and  Pov- 
trty.  during  work  hours  and  at  all  other  times,  he  had 
created  in  their  minds  a  desire  to  read  the  book,  which 
he  always  lent  them,  having  a  few  copies  for  that  pur- 
pose ;  with  the  invariable  result  of  Iheir  becoming 
converts  to  the  land  value  tax  doctrine.  They  in  turn 
became  ardent  advocates  of  the  single  tax  and  the  ex- 
emption from  tax  of  all  the  products  of  industry,  and 
would  vote  for  that  party  if  there  was  any  chance  of 
the  party  winning  an  election.  But  as  the  party  had 
not  sufficient  numbers,  the  people  of  the  United  States 
not  having  had  time  to  become  informed  on  the  single 
tax  theory  of  taxation,  their  votes  were  drifted  into  the 
two  great  political  parties  to  support  their  immediate 
friends.  In  the  block  where  they  all  lived,  there  were 
fifty-three  of  their  acquaintances  who  had  situations 
under  the  Municipal,  or,  the  National  government,  and 
when  election  time  came  around,  their  bread  and  but- 
ter depended  on  the  success  of  their  party,  and  ifthey 
were  thrown  out  of  a  situation  it  would  go  hard  with 
them  and  their  families  ?s  work  was  almost  impos- 
sible to  get.  So  the  boys  did  not  throw  away  their 
votes,  but  gave  them  to  Jim,  and  Bill,  and  Tom.  An- 
other stated  that  he  had  asked  ope  of  the  politicians 


>■      ;  <:'°', 


1    .    j_2 


THE  BROTHER.' 


:^: 


o/his  ward  to  get  him  a  position,  or  oflficc  in  some  of 
the  public  places,  that  he  had  been  out  of  a  job  for 
three  months  and  his  family  was  suffering.  The  pol- 
itician took  his  name,  residence  and  number,  in  a  little 
book,  and  then  asked  how  much  of  a  pull  (meaning 
how  many  votes  he  could  control)  he  had  in  the  ward, 
so  that  he  could  send  in  his  name  to  headquarters,  and 
if  his  influence  as  a  ward  heeler  was  greater  than  any 
other  applicant,  he  would  certainly  get  tlie  position. 
He  further  said,  that  all  over  the  city  anl  throughout 
the  State,  this  was  the  way  the  political  machine  was 
worked,  so  as  to  create  as  many  dependents  on  pol- 
itical offices  in  every  district,  as  possible,  and  to  have 
each  dependent  with  the  strongest  pull  of  votes. 

"My  two  companions  looked  at  each  other  in  amaze- 
ment and  then  at  me  for  some  moments.  The  tall 
Washington-like  man  asking  me  if  that  was  true.  I 
replied,  that  I  regretted  to  say,  there  was  much  that 
was  worse. 

•"What  could  be  worse.''  he  asked. 

'■"'Well  sir,  if  you  will  reflect  a  moment  on  the  chr.r- 
acter  of  the  kind  of  men,  that  such  conditions  would 
eventually  bring  to  the  head  of  political  government, 
you  may  easily  imagine  the  result  of  their  ac'minij- 
tration  of  government,  and  for  what  special  purpose 
it  would  be  administered.  And  I  am  quite  sure  the 
logical  conclusion  in  your  mind  would  be,  that  such 
characters  would  not  be  greatly  concerned  about  the 
public  interest;  such  I  am  ashamed  to  say  is  actually 
the  case.' 

"' Have  you  had  any   exposures,   or   distinguished 


:e  in  some  of 
jf  a  job  for 
ig.  The  pol- 
ber,  in  a  little 
nil  (meaning 
d  in  the  ward, 
[quarters,  and 
Iter  than  any 
the  position. 
J  throughout 
machine  was 
ents  on  pol- 
,  and  to  have 
)f  votes, 
ler  in  amaze- 
its.  The  tall 
was  true .  I 
IS  much  that 


:  on  the  char- 
litions  would 
government, 
cir  admin jp- 
cial  purpose 
lite  sure  the 
e,  that  such 
ed  about  the 
y  is  actually 

distinguished 


i«Mbim^-» 


■.■5^»*eg^  »*^»*i«H;^»"•wn|^f    ■ 


'THE  BROTHER. 


97 


conduct  of  this  kind  among  your  officials  .!*'  he  asked. 

"  'Why  sir,  I  cannot  imagine  where  you  have  been 
living,  if  you  are  not  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  Dom- 
inion of  Canada  derives  a  vast  portion  of  its  wealth 
from  the  stream  of  officials  that  escape  from  this  city 
year  after  year  with  vast  sums  of  the  peoples'  money, 
who  are  safe  to  enjoy  their  wealth  there ;  stealing  on 
a  gigantic  scale  not  being  a  crime  that  comes  under 
the  extradition  tieaty.  This  is  not  all.  Speculation 
has  become  a  species  of  insanity,  frjm  which  no  one  in 
all  the  Republic  is  free.  And  another  stream  of  bank 
officials,  and  those  who  are  entrusted  with  bonds  and 
securities  of  the  people  for  investment,  which  they  use 
in  the  most  risky  and  desperate  speculative  way,  or 
which,  by  some  manner,  they  manage  to  appropriate 
for  their  own  benefit,  leaving  their  depositors  ruined. 
These  too  escape,  and  add  their  ill-gotten  gains  to  the 
wealth  and  luxury  of  the  Dominion,  to  be  follo^ved  by 
others  continually  from  all  over  the  land.  Many  go 
to  Europe  and  remain  there.  The  feeling  of  insecur- 
ity in  the  public  mind  resulting  from  all  this,  keeps 
the  entire  nation  in  a  s^cite  of  continual  nervousness, 
-driving  investments  more  and  more  into  real  estate; 
rents  becoming  the  safest  investment. 

•"Then     rent   becomes    the   factor   that    absorbs 
production,'  said  the  Jeiiferson-like  stranger. 

"'I  am  not  prepared  to  admit  that,'  I  replied. 

'"AH  production  comes  from  the  land,'  he  remarked. 

'"  Yes  sir,  primarily' 

"  Well  then ;  whether  a  city  stands  on  it,  or  a  field 
of  corn,  rent  draws  its  sustenance  from  both  the  city 

13 


i 


98 


•THE  BROTHER.' 


and  the  corn,  by  ownership  of  the  land.  Does  it  not?' 
•"But  suppose  the  user  owns  the  land    too,    would 

not  his  rent  go  to  himself?* 

•"Is  that  the  case?'  he  replied. 

'"Well,  not  exactly.  If  we  look  at  the  increase  of 
mortgages  and  Sheriffs' sales,  in  thecitiesand  country 
all  over  the  Union,  it  appears  that  the  users  are 
becoming  less  and  less  the  owners,  and  more  and  more 
renters.' 

'• '  Well  then.'  replied  he, '  is  not  rent  the  factor  that 
absorbs  production?' 

••I  stood  reflecting  a  moment  upon  this  statement, 
which  for  the  first  time,  had  ever  met  my  serious  con- 
sideration. When  I  looked  up  my  companions  had 
disappeared,  and  by  some  mysterious  influence  I  found 
myself  standing  in  my  own  parlor." 

By  this  time  the  historian  had.  become  so  absorbed 
in  the  marvelous  story  of  the  past,  that,  for  the  mo- 
ment, he  forgotthe  solemn  nature  of  the  spirit  presence 
of  Edward  Pureheart,  and  as  the  last  sentence  was 
finished  he  exclaimed-:  "  Marvelous ! "  The  lightaround 
the  spirit  flickered  and  the  mouth  of  the  historian  was 
instantly  covered  by  the  hand  of  Comus.  A  moment- 
ary pause  and  the  writing  went  on  as  rapidly  as  before. 


m 


Does  it  not  ? ' 
d   too,    would 


he  increase  of 
esand  country 
the  users  arc 
lore  and  more 

the  factor  that 

lis  statement, 
»y  serious  con- 
npanions  had 
luence  I  found 

e  so  absorbed 
;,  for  the  mo- 
spirit  presence 
sentence  was 
lelightaround 
:  historian  was 
A  moment- 
lidly  as  before. 


;«* 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  NAVAL  PARADE,  LAWYERS*  CLUB  AND 
MEETING  OF  "THE  BROTHER." 

"  Before  my  usual  time  of  rising  in  the  morning,  I 
awoke  and  hastily  dressed  myself.  No  sooner  had  I 
made  my  toilet  than  I  found  myself  with  my  compan- 
ions, standing  in  front  of  the  President's  car,  when  he 
arrived  at  Elizabeth.  New  Jersey.  I  was  not  even 
bewildered  by  the  knowledge  of  the  fact,  that  I  was 
twenty  miles   from  my   residence,  transported  in  an 

instant. 

"The  citizens  were  out  early,  and  prepared  to  give 
the  President  a  reception,  having  exerted  themselves 
to  imitate,  according  to  their  own  ideas,  the  style 
and  manner  of  the  heroes  of  '76  when  they  received 
the  Father  of  our  Country  on  this  spot  one  hundred 
years  ago.  The  little  boys  had  evidently  made  the 
most  earnest  efforts.  Fresh  from  school  and  burning 
with  patriotic  ferver  evolved  from  their  study  of  the 
glorious  deeds  of  the  brave  officers  and  men,  who  fol- 
lowed the  great  leader  through  such  hardships,  the 
recital  of  which  was  sufficient  to  thrill  their  young 
hearts.  Here  Nature  gave  full  expression  to  herself 
without  restraint.      There   was  a  sense  of  equality  in 


100 


'THE  BROTHER. 


m 


i 


^^' 


these  little  niinds  and  hearts  for  the  moment,  that 
made  humanity  as  reflected  in  this  miniature  rei^iment 
sublime.  For,  were  they  not  all  sons  of  the  heroes  of 
the  Revolution,  or,  at  least,  American  citizens,  free 
and  independent? — each  the  proprietor  of  rights  gain- 
ed for  them  by  tl  e  great  heart  and  tireless  arm  of 
their  common  father,  Washington,  on  many  a  bloody 
field ! 

"  Be  happy  young  hearts  !  Fortunately  the  whole 
week  is  before  you,  and  the  joy  of  the  event  will 
make  you  forget  during  that  interval  the  pang  that 
awaits  some  of  you  on  the  next  Sabbath  morn,  when 
a  part  of  your  ranks  will  pass  you  by  as  they  go  to 
worship  attired  in  purpk-  and  fine  linen  !  The  pride 
and  hate  of  social  inequality  will  dispel  the  soulful 
joy  you  now  feel  in  your  imitation  blue  and  buck-skin 
and  cocked  hats!  Be  thankful,  brave  little  hearts, 
that  there  is  yet  some  symbol  of  unity  left  for  man! 
And  in  the  absence  of  the  great  central  thought  of 
love  to  all,  be  momentarily  equal  in  sublime  adora- 
tion of  the  great  hero  who  battled  for  man's  hope, 
'Unity,  Equality  and  Fraternaty.' 

"In  addition  to  these  noble  little  representatives  of 
the  battle  worn  and  scarred  veterans  \*ho,  a  century 
ago,  welcomed  their  companion  in  arms  on  his  way  to 
the  inauguration,  the  sturdy  farmers  of  continental 
times,  who  toiled  through  the  heat  and  storm,  through 
mud,  snow  and  ice,  on  many  a  weary  march  ;  who  shed 
their  blood  at  Monmouth  and  Trenton,  fighting  under 
their  brave  Captain  for  'Liberty,  or  Death,' were  here 
also  represented  by  their  descendants,  carrying  upon 


nomcnt,  that 
ure  re^'iment 
he  heroes  of 
citizens,  free 
f  rights  yain- 
eless  arm  of 
;iny  a  bloody 

ly  the  whole 
e  event  will 
e  pang  that 
morn,  when 
IS  they  go  to 
The  pride 
the  soulful 
nd  buck-skin 
little  hearts, 
left  for  man! 
1  thought  of 
•lime  adora- 
man's    hope, 

;sentatives  of 
o,  a  century 
on  his  way  to 
continental 
3rm,  through 
:h  ;  who  shed 
^[hting  under 
h,'  were  here 
rrying  upon 


lOI 


"THE  BROTHER. 


their  shoulders  the  implements  of  husbandry.  For  the 
moment  these  too  were  filled  with  enthusiasm,  which 
found  vent  in  loud  huzzas  as  they  marched  past  and 
welcomed  the  successor  of  the  great  Washington.  A 
fraternal  spirit  was  visible  on  every  face  as  they  looked 
into  each  others'  eyes  with  a  frankness  born  only  of 
pure  and  noble  thought.  Alas !  in  a  few  months  more 
these  degenerate  sons  will  stand  around  the  election 
polls  for  sale  to  the  highest  bidder,  purchased  whole- 
sale as  were  the  proletarians  of  ancient  Rome,  when 
the  offices  of  that  mighty  empire  were  sold  to  gratify 
the  pride,  or  avarice,  of  her  wealthy  monopolists. 
"The  citizens  were  numerous,  and  the  procession  not 
only  interesting  b\it  imposing.  Wherever  the  President 
moved  we  by  some  mysterious  iulluence  were  ever 
present,  and  the  eyes  of  my  companions  seemed  riv- 
eteJ  upon  his  countenance  as  though  they  were  look- 
ing down  into  his  inmost  soul  and  analyzing  the 
thoughts  of  his  heart.  The  President  looked  anxious 
and  pale,  and  I  was  impressed  with  the  idea,  that 
these  mysterious  men,  by  some  means,  had  an  influence 
upon  him. 

"  An  immense  arch  stood  out  in  delicate  relief 
against  the  eastern  sky.  The  morning  sun  from  the 
midst  of  rich  gold  and  crimson  clouds,  sent  slanting 
beams  to  faintly  tint  the  mass  of  delicate  white  that 
composed  the  structure.  For  the  entire  surface  from 
ba.se  to  apex  was  thickly  covered  with  little  children 
whose  sweet  faces,  arms  and  flower  baskets,  consti- 
tuted the  entire  decoration  of  this  loyely  arch.  As 
the    President   passed    under  it  a   shower   of  flowers, 


•V    J 


i 


|4i5 


^^^m 


'■■«»--, 


% 


I03 


"THF,  BROTHER.  •* 


thrown  by  hundreds  of  tiny,  dimpled  hands,  filled  the 
carriage  and  covered  the  road  and  walks  below,  giv- 
ing to  the  morning  air  a  delicious  perfume. 

"  At  the  breakfast,  on  »he  boat  that  took  him  to 
the  vessel,  at  the  reception,  on  the  vessel  and  during 
the  entire  Naval  Parade  on  the  bay  to  New  York,  on 
the  B?ttery  and  at  the  reception  of  the  Lawyers'  Club 
at  the  Equitable  Building.  I  and  my  companions  were 
never  more  than  one  hundred  feet  from  the  President, 
But  how  it  happened  I  cannot  tell.  On  the  water, 
vessels,  or  the  land,  it  was  the  same.  We  did  not 
walk;  nor  was  I  con.scious  of  any  motion,  but  we 
were  always  there,  near  him.  My  mysterious  com- 
panions scrutinized  every  official  and  every  counte- 
nance with  a  penetrating,  searching  look  that  I  shall 
never  forget;  not  one  of  whom  seemed  conscious  of 
our  presence,  which  to  me  was  still  more  strange. 

"There  was  a  stiffness  and  coldness  about  the  re- 
ception and  introduction  of  the  various  committees 
and  officials  with  the  President  that  did  not  wear  off 
and  was  only  relieved  when  the  officers  got  away  by 
themselves  to  where  the  genial  wine  and  frn grant 
Havana  stimulated  the  spirit,  and  warmed  the  chill 
produced  by  the  formalities  incident  to  the  occasion. 

"The  elegance  of  the  scene  at  the  Lawyers'  Club 
beggars  description.  When  it  is  stated  that  the  viands 
on  the  table  alone  cost  nearly  five  thousand  dollars, 
some  idea  can  be  formed  of  the  luxury  of  the  interior. 
The  table  wf-.i  banked  with  roses,  amid  which  electric 
lights  in  pink  silk  coverings  shone  v/ith  fairy  splendor. 
A  great  Century  Palm,  hung  with  rare   Orchids,    ro.se 


■^*''T  1|iM^^«"'i>  W^' 


:>■•*': 


"TIIU  nROTIIKK," 


»03 


'-V 


ids,  filled  the 
8  below,  glv- 
ne. 

took  him  to 
el  and  during 
Jew  York,  on 
'^awyers'  Club 
ipanions  were 
the  President. 
)t\  the  water. 
We  did  not 
tion,  but  we 
sterious  corn- 
very  counte- 
k  that  I  shall 

conscious   of 
e  strange, 
jbout  the    re- 
s   committees 

not  wear  off 
I  got  away  by 
and  frngrant 
led  the  chill 
the  occasion, 
iwyers'  Club 
hat  the  viands 
sand  dollars, 
>f  the  interior, 
which  electric 
airy  splendor. 
Drchids,    rose 


above  the  centre  of  the  table  and  about  its  base  choice 
flowers  massed  in  broad  and  harmonious  color  ravished 
the  sen.scs  by  their  perfume.  Opulence  feebly  conveys 
the  idea  of  the  splendor  of  the  interior  decorations 
which  were  said  to  exceed  in  beauty  any  other  in  the 
c^nmiry.  The  appetites  of  the  guests  appeared  to  be 
satisfied  with  the  sense  of  richness,  for  they  partooV 
sparingly  of  tlic  delicious  viands  that  invitingly  lay 
upon  the  table  imbedded  in  the  mass  of  choice  flowers. 
Luxury  had  exiiausted  herself  in  this  supreme  effort  to 
display  her  charms  at  what  was  really  one  man's  table, 
and  that  man  the  chosen  citizen  of  the  Republic  to  the 
highest  post  of  honor— Prsident  of  the  few  million- 
aires and  the  vast  myriads  of  tramps;  President  of  a 
nations  industry,  of  her  monopolized  mines,  railroads 
and  telegraphs,  of  her  commerce,  of  tne  giant  saloon 
interest,  and  President  of  the  wretched  sot,  street  girl 
and  homeloss  arab ;  President  of  the  hopelessly  mort- 
gaged farmer,  whose  bitter,  agonizing  wail  ascendf.  to 
that  heaven  which  in  former  days  gave  to  his  industry 
her  only  unqualified  approving  smile.  In  the  vast  sea 
of  humanity  in  the  street  below  attracted  to  this  fete* 
as  the  moth  to  the  candle,  surging  and  pressing  upon 
the  line  of  noble  horses  of  the  mounted  police,  who 
with  difficulty  maintained  an  open  passage  for  the  exit, 
when  the  feast  of  Lawyers  should  be  ended,  there 
were  many  who  lacked  food,  and  would  gladly  have 
taken  the  crumbs  that  fell  from  Dives'  table.  But  an 
impassable  barrier  existed,  and  when  freed  from  the 
compact  mass  of  human  beings  that  now  surrounded 
them,  they  would  seek  the  slop  barrels    at   the    back 


-v^^ 


^■:>#»^i;^ 


104 


'THE  BHOTHER. 


alleys  of  the  palaces,  and  luxuriate  on  the  waste  of  a 
civilization  that  gives  a  superabundanct  to  a  favored 
fe'v.  The  joy  and  splendor  of  the  suberb  feast  of  the 
Lawyers'  Club,  which  unfortunately  could  not  be  eaten 
because  of  the  cloyed  appe  ites  of  the  guests^  was 
heightefked  by  the  sweet  chimes  from  old  Trinity's 
fretted  tower,  filling  all  the  air  with  the  grand  old  hymn  : 
'Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow, 
Praise  Him  all  creature  here  below,' 
To  which  the  fed,  and  hungry,  crowd  below  doubt- 
less responded  with  thankful  hearts;  happy,  thrice 
happy,  in  the  thought  that  the  President  and  Lawyers 
of  the  Nation  were  for  two  happy,  happy  hours  enjoy- 
ing so  regal  .-i  feast. 

"I  could  not  reply  to  an  interrogation  of  my  tall 
companion,  why  the  President  should  give  the  honor 
of  the  first  visit  to,  and  be  first  entertained  by,  the 
Lawyers'  Club.  I  was  obliged  to  simply  reply,  that  I 
uid  not  know,  nor  could  I  find  a  reason.  Thev  were 
private  parties,  and  the  State  of  New  Vork  find  the 
Governors  of  many  States  were  ignored  for  the  time, 
while  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  successor 
of  Washington,  first  paid  his  respects  to  the  Lawyers' 
Club.  I  could  only  suggest,  that  it  might  be,  because 
both  house.e  of  Congress  and  the  Executive  branch  of 
Government  were  entirely  composed  of  lawyers;  and 
that  it  might  be  said  that  this  was  a  government  of 
lawyers.  But  this  suggestion  was  far  from  satisfactory 
to  my  companions,  as  it  was  to  myself  And  this  I 
found  to  bfc  the  first  point  upon  which  I  could  give  no 
explanation  to  these  strangers.  Their  faces  expressed 


♦•- 


4  .,   ,  -p 


!ii^assijiS£«aa£i^K« '^r'-ji^-y^jKvu&SiiSJ^..' . , 


^«jr#fl»ip?«?! 


"THE  UROTHKR. 


I05 


on  the  waste  of  a 
net  to  a  favored 
uberb  feast  of  the 
:ould  not  be  eaten 
the  guests,  was 
om  old  Trinity's 
i  grand  old  hymn: 
ssings  flow, 
below,' 

ivd  below  doubt - 
Is;  happy,  thrice 
ient  and  Lawyers 
ippy  hours  enjoy- 

ati/>n  of  my  tall 
d  give  the  honor 
irtained  by,  the 
nply  reply,  that  I 
ion.  They  were 
^  V^ork  and  the 
■ed  for  the  time, 
tes,  the  successor 
5  to  the  Lawyers' 
night  be,  because 
jcutive  branch  of 
of  lawyers;  and 
government  of 
from  satisfactory 
jlf  And  this  I 
1  I  could  give  no 
r  faces  expressed 


wonder  and  astonishment  more  than  interest  as  they 
looked  over  the  different  persons  present.  And  I  was 
kept  replying  to  many  questions  in  regard  to  the 
various  parties,  who  they  were,  what  were  they  dis- 
tinguished for,  and  why.  In  replying  to  these  questions 
I  was  struck  by  the  fact,  that  not  one  of  all  I  sawthere 
had  been  distinguished  for  ability  as  a  great  legislator, 
or  were  there  any  distinguished  as  scholars,  moralists, 
or  advanced  thinkers.  Every  one,  to  the  last  man 
upon  whom  I  was  interrogated,  was  engaged  as  a 
corporation  counsel  or  a  politician.  This  fact  brought 
me  the  most  awkward  and  puzzling  questions  from 
both  my  companions.  Indeed  the  anxiety  to  know 
why  the  Pre.sident  of  the  United  States,  on  such  an 
auspicious  occasion,  was  first  the  gtiest  of  the  corpor- 
ation lawyers,  and  my  inability  to  answer,  was  to  both 
them  and  me  quite  painful. 

"  In  the  street  parade  I  pointed  out  ex -President 
Cleveland  who  had  been  rejecteJ  for  a  second  term 
of  office. 

"'Why  was  he  rejected.?'  my  companions  asked. 

"'Well,  he  was  in  favc-  of  retaining  all  the  non- 
elective  officials,  whatever  political  party  they  favored, 
providing  they  were  efficient,  and  could  stand  the  test 
of  a  rigid  Civil  Service  examination;  believing  that  this 
method  would  secure  to  the  people  good  adminis- 
tration, and  by  the  security  of  tenure  to  an  official 
position,  bring  to  the  Civil  Service  the  best  talent  exist- 
ing among  the  people.  The  party  workers  who  wish 
to  obtain  offices,  not  being  capabk:,  or  rather  trained 
to  undergo  the  severe  test  of  a  Civil  Service  examin- 
14 


I 


1 


w 


106 


••THE  BROTHER." 


'if 


ation  that  would  debar  them  from  office,  naturally 
object  to  it  as  a  barrier  to  them,  and  consequently 
were  either  opposed  to,  or  half-hearted  on  the  re- 
election of  the  President.  Another  serious  obstacle  to 
the  re-election  of  the  President,  was  the  point 
.equest  he  made  in  his  message  to  the  Fiftieth  Con- 
gress, for  the  National  Legislature  to  take  steps  to 
restrain  the  great  combinations  of  capital  that  had 
obtained  control  of  the  industries  and  markets,  by 
which  they  could  force  from  the  genera)  public,  not 
only  a  monopoly  price,  but  ako  prevent,  by  high  pro- 
tective tariff's,  the  foreign  imports  that  would  to  some 
eiitent  hold  the  market  to  an  anti-monopoly  price. 

"  As  I  finished  the  last  sentence  a  man  standing 
beside  me  who  had  overheard  our  conversation  in 
regard  to  civil  service  reform,  remarked  that  we  had 
fully  reached  the  condition  described  by  Jefferson  when 
he  said  that  "it  saps  the  constitutional  and  salutary 
functions  of  the  President,  and  introduces  a  principle 
of  intrigue  and  corruption  which  will  soon  leaveu  the 
mass,  not  only  of  Senators,  but  of  citizens.  It  is  more 
baneful  than  the  attempt  which  failed  in  the  beginning 
of  the  Government,  to  make  a'A  officers  irremovable 
but  with  the  consent  of  the  Senate.  This  places  every 
four  years  ail  appointments  under  their  power,  and  even 
bbli{Tes  them  to  act  on  every  one  nomination.  It  wiii 
keep  in  constant  excitement  all  the  hungry  cormorants 
for  office;  render  them,  as  well  as  those  in  place,  syco- 
phants to  thefr  Senators;  engage  these  in  eternal  in- 
trigue to  turn  out  one  ^ad  put  in  another,  in  cabals  to 
swap  work ;  and  make  of  them,  what  all  executive  direct- 


i 


\» 


"'I  HE  BROTHER. 


107 


fice,  naturally 
consequently 
d  on  the  re- 
ous  obstacle  to 
s   the    point 

Fiftieth  Con- 
take  steps  to 
}ital  that  had 
I  markets,  by 
i)  public,  not 
it,  by  high  pro- 
ivould  to  some 
lopoly  price, 
man  standing 
anversation  in 
i  that  we  had 
Jefferson  when 

and  salutary 
es  a  principle 
3on  leaveu  the 
ens.  It  is  more 

the  beginning 
s  irremovable 
is  places  every 
ower,  and  even 
nation.  It  wili 
jry  cormorants 
in  place,  syco- 

in  eternal  in- 
er,  in  cabals  to 
cecutive  direct- 


ories become,  mere  sinks  of  corruption  and  faction." 

'"That  is  true;  word  for  word,'  remarked  my  Jeffer- 
son-like companion. 

' '  Again,'  continued  the  stranger  addressing  us,  *  the 

Senate  Committee  of  Calhoun,  Benton  and  Webster 

I         in  1835  declared  that — '.'Faithful  performance  of  duty 

^  no  longer  insures  a  renewal  of  appointment.  The  con- 
sequence is  inevitable;  a  feeling  of  dependence  on  the 
executive  on  the  part  of  tho  incumbent,  increasing  as 
his  term  lapproaches  its  end,  with  a  great  increase  in 
the  number  of  those  who  desire  Lis  place,  followed  by 
an  active  competition  between  the  occupant  and  those 
who  seek  his  place,  followed  by  all  those  acts  of  compli- 
ance and  subserviency  by  which  power  is  conciliated, 
and,  of  course,  with  a  corresponding  increase  of  the 
number  of  those  influenced  by  the  executive  will." 
" '  What  is  the  practice  now.' '  asked  my  tall  companion. 
'"The  practice  is,  to  an  alarming  extent,  to  reward 
the  working  and  contributing  politicians  with  offices, 
and  the  elected  officials  being  forced  to  evade,  often 
by  most  shameful  means,  the  civil  service  test  as  a 
qualifi^  afion  for  office.  Hence,  as  Mr  Jefferson  proph- 
e3ied  long  ago:  "The  ezecutive  directories  have  be- 
come mere  sinks  of  corruption  and  faction.' 

'*^  "The  man  who  quoted  so  familiarly   and   glibly,  I 

recognized  as  one  of  the  men  I  had  seen  discussing  at 
the  Sacred  Concert  Saloon  on  the  previous  evening. 
My  enquiries  in  regard  to  himself  developed  the  fact 
that  he  had  recognized  me;  having  also  observed  me 
viewing  the  slums  on  Saturday  night,  and  had  taken 
the  trouble  to  watch  that  no  harm  came  to  me  in  that 


io8 


"THE  BROTHER. 


iii 


II 


dangerous  neighborhood. 

'•This  information,  which  I  verified  by  some  inter- 
rogations, began  to  multiply  the  mysteries  by  which 
1  was  surr">unded,  for  the  man's  appearance  indicated 
that  he  led  a  toilsoime  life  for  indifferent  reward.  His 
clothing  was  of  the  commonest  kind  but  a  closer  scru- 
tiny of  his  face  showed  intelligence  and  an  unflinching 
look  that  was  not  the  result  of  effrontery,  but  rather  of 
an  independent  spirit.  His  remarkable  quotations 
from  history  made  me  feel  inferior  in  point  of  knowl- 
edge, adding  to  the  astonishment  I  experienced  on 
Sunday  night  when  listening  to  his  explanation  as  to 
why  he  voted  the  monopoly  ticket.  A  request  for  the 
pleasure  of  his  further  acquaintance  brought  from  him, 
with  some  reluctance,  his  name  and  address;  although 
he  stated  that  he  could  be  found  £,nywhere,  this  was 
given  as  a  headquarters  of  meeting,  from  which  his 
whereabouts  could  be  somewhat  definitely  obtained. 
Giving  him  my  card  he  wrote  on  the  back:  '"The 
Brother,'  Regan's  Saloon,  Bowery,  New  York  City." 

"'Is  this  name  sufficient  to  find  you.'' 

"  'Oh  yes.  Every  one  vvill  know  who  vou  mean  when 
you  ask  for  'The  Brother.'  You  will  have  no  trouble 
about  that  when  you  want  to  find  me.' 

•"My  companions  regarded  'The  Brother'  vith 
great  rnestness.  The  character  of  his  remarks  and 
the  man's  singular  address  evidently  interested  them. 
To  me  it  was  only  part  of  the  strangeness  of  my  late 
experiences  developed  out  of  my  moody  ramble  to  the 
Battery  where  I  was  nursing  my  sadness  over  the 
obstacles  to  my  marriage  with  Victoria,  and  studying 


m» 


f,^^^:p^m3^^^mW- 


■"-^e.f^      ..*t. 


a^ipifa^jag£;£|8;:&i)  asp^ipj . 


"THE  BRQT'ww.R. 


109 


jy  some  inter- 
ries  b/  which 
mce  indicated 

reward.  His 
t  a  closer  scru- 
an  unflinching 
',  but  rather  of 
lie  quotations 
)int  of  knowl- 
rperienced  on 
)lanation  as  to 
request  for  the 
jghtfrom  hjm, 
ress;  althpugh 
lere,  this  was 
>m  which  his 
tely  obtained. 

back:  '"The 
'  York  City." 

ou  mean  when 
ive  no  trouble 


by  what  means  I  could  overcome  her  father's  mercen- 
ary objections. 

"The  bunting  and  flag  decorations  of  the  City  Hall, 
on  the  palaces  of  the  New  York  dailies,  the  Post-office 
and  the  surrounding  buildings,  rendered  the  vast  en- 
closure, filled  with  people,  cheerful  and  attractive; 
sti»nulating  the  spirits  of  the  jammed  and  tired-out 
throng  to  hilarity  and  good  natured  efforts  to  relieve 
their  uncomfortable  position.  The  school  girls  who 
welcomed  the  successor  of  Washington  by  scattering 
flowers,  the  formalities  of  the  Officials,  Military  and 
Police,  in  their  various  manoeuvres,  and  the  passing  of 
the  crowd  of  citizens  in  front  of  the  President,  were 
all  interesting  and  full  of  incidents  that  the  busy  news- 
paper reporters  were  writing  down  for  publication  on 
the  morrow. 

"  Agam  my  mysterious  companions  disappear'-d  as 
if  by  magic,  and  a  tiresome  day  closed  that  had  occu- 
pied me  since  daylight,  extending  from  Elizabeth  over 
the  bay  to  New  York,  including  the  Naval  pageant, 
the  landing,  the  feast  of  the  Lawyers' Club,  the  street 
scenes,  the  reception  at  the  City  Hall,  and  the  meet- 
ing of 'The  Brother.'" 


Brother'  vith 
s  remarks  and 
terested  them. 
;ss  of  my  late 
ramble  to  the 
less  over  the 
,  and  studying 


iiMWn  itWiMiiiiTr-H  W«»dR^MttW«>.'' 


CHAPTER  IX. 


THE  BALL  OF  THE  CENTURY,  ST.  PAUL'S  SUB- 
TREASURY  AND  THE  MILITARY  PARADE. 

"  Once  more  .  day  was  breaking.  The  revolving 
globe  was  slowly  bringing  us  to  the  hours  when  the 
god  of  day  would  view  one  of  the  great  gatherings  of 
humanity  upon  its  surface.  But  this  thought  had  no 
concern  for  me.  The  future  history  of  the  coming  day 
was  absorbed  in  the  bewilderment  ofthe  events  of  the 
•Ball  of  the  Century*  of  the  past  night,  ii:  which  I 
with  my  mysterious  companions  had  witnessed  every 
part.  I  lay  awake  and  feverish,  the  astonished  brain 
nervousl)-  refusing  rest.  Memory  producing  one  pic- 
ture after  another  of  the  supreme  effort  of  wealth, 
splendor,  ambition  and  weakness.  Pictures  that  fol- 
lowed not  each  other  in  regular  order  of  succession  as 
they  occurred,  but  came  with  a  vividness  of  reality,  to 
fade,  be  supplanted  by  another,  and  then  to  return 
again  as  vividly  as  before.  I  sought  relief  from  my 
active  thoughts,  desiring  sleep.  Slowly  counting  to 
bring  regularity  of  pulsation,  forgetting  the  numbers 
before  reaching  one  hundred,  commencing  again,  all 
without  avail;  and  finally  abandoned  myself  to  the 
whirl  of  the  brain  as  it  brought   up  one   photograph 


iJW.C^'ISS  i 


"THE  BROTHER. 


Ill 


ul's  sub- 

VRADE. 

rhe  revolving 
ITS  when  the 
gatherings  of 
>ught  had  no 
le  coming  day 
;  events  of  the 
,  in  which  I 
;nessed  every 
snished  brain 
cing  one  pic- 
)rt  of  wealth, 
ures  that  fol- 
succession  as 
s  of  reality,  to 
en  to  return 
ief  from  my 
'  counting  to 
the  numbers 
ig  again,  all 
jyself  to  the 
photograph 


after  another  of  the    splendors   of  the    mighty  ball.  ^ 
What   height  Imperial  Rome  may  have  reached   in 
her  grandest  efforts  at  luxury,  could  easily  be   imag- 
ined, after  the  sights  and  scenes  I  had   witnessed   on 
this  night  of  nights  i«tst  passed.      Rome  at  her  best 
never  equalled  the  richness    and    profusion    of  silks, 
lace,  ind  jewels  presented  here.      No  evidence   has 
come  down  to  us  from  the  brilliant  past  of  such  skillful 
workmanship  and  quality  of  material.  Illuminated  by 
myriads  of  electric  lights,  unrivalled,  beautiful  women 
shone  richly  massed  in  thousands,  dazzling  in  a  splen- 
dor of  rare  jewels,  sparkling   with   white,    ruby   and 
yellow  light  as  they  lay  upon  snowy  breasts  and  flashed 
from  beds  of  tender  lace,  or  the  shimmering  lustres  of 
gorgeoi  1  silks.    The  immense  dome  and  halls  luxuri- 
antly  hung  with  banners    aqd   emblems,   evergreens 
and  flowers,  in  such  profusion  that  the  glowing  tropics 
must  have  yielded  their  abundance  to   augment  ihis 
lovely  scene.     Vistas  of  decoration  in  red,  white  and 
green,   animated  by  crowds   of  elegant   human   life 
filled  the  eye  in  every  direction.     The  general  impres- 
sion was  a  mass  of  gorgeousness,  from  which  came  and 
went  many  pictures  on  the  rapid   kaleidoscope  of  life, 
color   and  spectacular  effect,  that  transpired  during  the 
evening.     Fiom  this  general  mass  vividly  came  inci- 
dents and  scenes  to  my   mental   vision,   as  though  I 
was  again  witnessing  them;  even   the  expression  on 
the  faces  of  the  guests  were  clearly  remembered.  The 
push  and  struggle  at  the  cloak   rooin   where  a  multi- 
t -de  of  hats,  cloaks  and  wraps,  were   by   the   eager 
throng,  rudely  reached  over  each  others'  heads  to  the 


iia 


"THK  BROTIIKR." 


active  attendants,  who  thickly  stood  shoulder  to  shoul- 
der receiving  them  and  giving  checks;  while  carefully 
coiffured  heads  and  silken  trains  were  trampled  or 
damaged,  bringing  to  fair  faces  the  frown  of  mortifica- 
tion and  changing  the  sweetness  of  their  smiles  to 
looks  of  bitter  resentment.  In  the  bowers  of  greenery 
and  flowers  into  which  the  lobbies  were  transformed, 
the  effects  of  the  ordeal  of  the  cloak  room  gradually 
wore  off.  The  cheerful  effect  upon  their  minds  in  the 
profusion  of  color  produced  by  floral  richness  relieved 
by  evergreen,  soon  brought  forgctfulness  of  the  strug- 
gle to  reach  the  master  scene  of  joy  and  pleasure. 

"  Returning  again  and  again  to  my  vision  was  the 
view  through  a  mass  of  beautiful  heads,  graceful  necks 
arms  and  shoulders,  in  delicate  shades  approaching 
whiteness,  relieved  by  rich  brown  and  black  hair; 
priceless  diamonds,  rubies  and  sa^fphires,  blazed  pro- 
fusely in  this  wall  of  beauty  immediately  in  front  of  us, 
as  the  President  and  Notables  from  every  part  of  the 
land  entered  below  through  the  files  of  artillerymen, 
who,  with  uplifted  swords,  saluted  the  distinguished 
guests.  At  a  signal  the  bands  thundered  into  the 
great  space  the  soul  stirring  '  Hail  Columbia's  Happy 
Land'  while  a  living  mass  of  beauty  and  splendor 
leaned  over  the  decorated  boxes  and  royal  velvet 
draped  galleries,  to  see  the  President  as  he  ascended 
to  the  elevated  throne  from  which  he  viewed  the  crush 
of  thousands,  who  made  dancing  impossible. 

"Again  and  again  recurred  to  my  feverish  brain  the 
pallid  and  unearthly  faces  of  my  two  companions  as 
they  viewed  this  paradise  of  luxury.     In  silence  they 


'THE  BROTH«R. 


'3 


ulder  to  shoul- 
ivhile  carefully 

trampled  or 
n  of  mortifica- 
eir  smiles  to 
rs  of  greenery 

transformed, 
jm  gradually 
r  minds  in  the 
hness  relieved 
s  of  the  strug- 
i  pleasure, 
sion  was  the 
2^raceful  necks 

approaching 
1  black  hair; 
},  blazed  pro- 
r  in  front  of  us, 
y  part   of  the 

artillerymen, 

distinguished 

;red    into   the 

mbia's  Happy 

and    splendor 

royal    velvet 

he  ascended 
wed  the  crush 
iible. 

jrish  brain  the 
impanions   as 

silence  they 


stood,  immovable,  fixed,  with  a  majesty  that  inspired 
me  with  feelings  of  awe,  rmirring  the  joy  I  otherwise 
would  have  experienced  from  perhaps  the  greatest 
effort  of  worldly  splendor  of  all  the  ages.  My  compan- 
ions never  spoke.  Not  a  que«tion  in  regard  to  the 
distingui.shed  nc  cables  was  asked.  Even  raptas  I  was 
in  the  immensity  and  splendor  of  the  Ball,  I  could  not 
but  observe  this  peculiarity  and  the  painful  silence  with 
which  they  witnessed  this  unparalelled  event  and  the 
actors  in  it.  /it  length  the  tall  man  slowly  turned  his 
head  and  gazed  steadily  upon  me  for  a  moment  with 
a  calm  dignity  and  look  of  parental  tenderness.  I  was 
struck  with  his  strong  resemblance  to  Stuart's  portrait 
of  Washington.  His  sublime  expression  threw  me  into 
a  contemplative  reverie  from  which  I  awoke  to  find  my- 
self mysteriously  transported  to  the  interior  of  the 
supper  room. 

"  Rivalling  in  beauty  the  dome  and  halls  of  the 
Operahou.se,  an  "nchanting  interior  of  wonderful  extent 
decorated  with  evergreens,  flags,  and  flowers,  formed  a 
refreshing  enclosure  down  the  centre  of  which  reached 
a  table  shaped  like  a  Grecian  border  fifteen  hundred 
feet  long;  tmbellished  with  sculptured  silver,  cut  glass, 
e>c  juisite  ceramics  and  flowers,  smilax  twined  around 
the  dishes,  and  three  hundred  men  in  full  dress  stood 
in  waiting.  Viands  loaded  the  table,  reminding  me  of 
the  feast  at  the  Lawyers'  Club  in  the  morning,  but  on 
a  .scale  of  greater  magnitude.  A  bar  one  thousand  feet 
in  length  occupied  another  part  covered  with  innumer- 
able glasses.  From  the  rear  arose  thousands  ofcham- 
pagne  bottles  stacked  on  blocks  of  cool  and  sparkling 

15 


..rSSer-"-'' 


'$m^^-. 


"THE  BROTHER." 


ice,  their  glittering,  gilded  tops  resembling  the  -live 
bloom  on  fhe  border  of  some  monster  flower  bed.  In 
front  of  these  .stood  one  hundred  and  fifty  waiters  who 
awaited  the  opening  of  the  feast.  In  a  few  moments 
the  Master  Steward  gave  the  order:  'Let  them  come.' 
The  several  dooru  flew  open  and  the  dense  mass  of 
human  beings  came  in  like  a  great  tidal  wave  of  the 
sea.  The  front  of  the  bar  was  in.stantly  packed  several 
deep  and  the  champagne  cork.s  flew  with  a  roar  like 
musketry.  The  first  citizens  of  the  land,  the  repre- 
sentatives of  wealth  and  refinement,  struggled  to  reach 
the  foaming  beverage  with  the  desperation  of  ship- 
wrecked mariners. 

"The  splendor  of  the  guests  who  surrounded  the 
table  could  not  be  described.  Here  were  represented 
the  dignity  of  station,  wealth  and  beauty,  to  the  heart's 
content;  each  vieing  to  outshine  the  other  in  richness 
of  attire  and  jewels,  and  all  strung  to  the  highest  pitch 
to  display  their  charms  or  wit.  At  the  table  sat  the 
successor  of  the  immortal  Washington  in  the  midst  of 
a  select  few  who  were  confined  to  the  limits  of  the 
thirteen  original  states.  The  feast  went  on,  as  did  the 
musketry-rattle  of  the  champagne  corks  at  the  bar  till 
a  late  hour.  The  police  commissioner  who  stood  like 
my  companions  calmly  viewing  the  scene  suggested 
a  plan  of  ending  the  revelry,  by  cutting  the  wires  of 
the  electric  light  and  throwing  the  room  in  fiarkness. 
from  which  he  was  persuaded  by  the  managers  who 
hoped  to  successfully  close  the  wild  .scene  in  some 
peaceful  way  or  other.  At  length  my  Jefferson-like 
companion  remarked  that  'there   were    some    of  the 


,      '! 


"THK  BROTIIKR. 


115 


iling  the  -live 
lower  bed.  In 
ty  waiters  who 
few  moments 
et  them  come.' 
lense  mass  of 
1  wave  of  the 
packed  several 
:h  a  roar  like 
d,  the  repre- 
ggled  to  reach 
ration  of  ship- 

jrrounded  the 
;re  represented 
r,  to  the  heart's 
ler  in  riciiness 
e  highest  pitch 

table  sat  the 
in  the  midst  of 

limits  of  the 
t  on,  as  did  the 
s  at  the  bar  till 
who  stood  like 
.'ne  suggested 
\  the  wires  of 
n  in  darkness, 
nanagers  who 
cene    in    some 

Jefferson-Iikc 

some    of  the 


' 


guests  who  were  not  drunk.'  And  immediately  I  found 
myself  lying  on  my  bed  in  this  feverish  whirl  of  mental 
activity  incapable  of  sleep. 

"  Sleep  n>ust  have  overtaken  me  some  time  after 
daylight,  and  nuw  I  was  awake  refreshed  and  as  bright 
as  ever.  The  excitement  of  the  brain  was  gone,  so 
that  I  sang  and  whistled  while  dressing  myself— possi- 
bly because  I  found  upon  my  table  a  sweet  letter  from 
Victoria  that  sent  the  blood  bouncing  through  my 
heart  with  exhilirating  speed. 

"The  Military  parade  must  have  assembled  by  this 
time  and  prepared.to  march.  Partaking  of  coffee  and 
some  oatmeal,  I  lighted  a  cigar  and  sauntered  ort  in 
the  direction  of  the  procession.  A  poor  woman  with 
a  wan  face,  accompanied  by  two  children,  asked  assist- 
ance, stating  modestly  that  she  was  greatly  in  need; 
an  unnecessary  remark  for  the  evidence  was  strikingly 
visible.  A  pang  went  through  my  heart  as  I  hastily 
gave  her  some  change  to  tide  over  present  hunger, 
while  I  walked  on  still  thinking  of  the  sublime  luxury 
of  the  'Hall  of  the  Century.'  The  wonder  of  thatscene 
began  to  occupy  my  mind  and  render  me  oblivious  to 
the  crowd  of  people  hastening  in  the  direction  of  the 
route  of  procession.  Awaking  from  my  reverie  I  found 
myself  with  my  mysterious  companions,  and  standing 
within  the  Church  of  St.  Paul  in  full  view  of  the  Presi- 
dent and  his  officials,  who  were  here  assembled  to 
repeat  the  service  which  Washington  attended  on  this 
spot  and  in  the  same  pew  one  hundred  years  ag  .. 

"The    aspect   of  this    ancient   Church    was    quite 
changed  with  the  profuse  decorations  of  the  interior  in 


v^!tf---> 


m 


■Sf 


■,1         ■     A- 


ii6 


'TUK  i»R()tiii:k," 


%4L.   . 


National  colors.  Still  the  solemnity  of  the  place  was 
most  profound.  Here  were  men  of  faith  and  no  faith, 
men  who  regard  a  church  a»  fit  only  fo  women  and 
sentimentalists,  but  whatever  divergence  of  views  ex- 
isted among  the  audience  in  regards  religious  ideas, 
one  universal,  awfully  impressive  .sentiment  pervaded 
every  breast  at  this  moment,  proceeding  from  the  fact 
that  the  Father  o(  our  Country  once  sat  and  knelt  with 
serious,  anxious  heart  on  this  spot  and  hallowed  it. 

"The  first  part  of  the  service  was  over.  Attentively 
sat  the  President  listening  to  the  plain  and  forcible 
remarks  of  the  good  Pastor's  sarmon.  Like  some 
great  sculptured  mountain-rock  filling,  by  its  gigantic 
3i!!c.  .he  mind  with  awe,  my  tall  Washington-like  com- 
panion had,  since  the  ceremonies  began, 'been  standing 
with  bowed  head  and  thoughtful  expre-ssion,  viewing 
such  phantoms  or  memories  as  fli  \tcd  before  his 
mentU  vision  in  a  panoram  >  whose  pictures  were 
evidently  as  serious,  grand  and  solemn  as  himself 

"A  vast  assemblage  composed  of  the  distingui.^hed 
of  the  land  sat  in  death-like  silence  as  the  eloquent 
Preacher's  words  rang  out  in  old  St.  Paul's.  His  theme 
was  'The  Kingly  virtue  of  Wa.shington'  which  he  up- 
held, with  a  glowing  tribute,  as  a  sublime  model  for 
us  to  imitate.  H'>  spoke  of  the  dilution  of  our  National 
manhood  by  th.  onstant  importation  of  the  lowest 
orders  of  peoj..!-  ;rom  abroad,  the  steadily  deteriorating 
process,  against  wkose  dangers  thinkers  have  warned 
us  as  a  beggarly  prostitution  of  the  noblest  gift  ever 
conferred  upon  a  people.  Who  shall  respect  a  people 
who  do  not  respect  their  own  blood,  and  how  shall  a 


■«««■-■ 


••THF.  BHOTHJ'H.' 


117 


the  place  waN 
h  and  no  faith, 
women  and 
e  of  views  ex- 
•elijfiouH  ideas, 
nent  pervaded 
i  from  the  fact 
and  knelt  with 
hallowed  it. 
r.  Attentively 
and  forcible 
Like  some 
by  its  fjigantic 
^ton-like  com- 
heen  standin^j 
aion,  viewing 
:d    before    his 

pictures  were 
as  himself. 

distinguished 

the  eloquent 
I's.  His  theme 

which  he  up- 
ne  model  for 
four  National 
tf  the    lowest 

deteriorating 
i  have  warned 
lest  gift  ever 
pect  a  people 
d  how  shall  a 


National  spirit  arise  out  of  low  bred  associations  and 
coarse  grained  temperaments  imported  from  every 
clime.>  He  spoke  of  the  ideas  that  rule  the  hour;  that 
they  must  be  merchantable  ideas,  of  the  swagger  of 
American  speech  and  manners,  of  the  growth  of 
we;»lth,  the  prevalence  of  luxury,  the  massing  of  large 
material  forces,  whose  existence  arc  a  standing  menace 
to  the  freedom  and  integrity  of  the  individual;  of  the 
Washingtonian  dignity  and  jeflersonian  simplicity.  In 
thern  th.it  bear  ruit  there  should  be  a  character  so 
fine,  high  and  pure,  that  as  men  came  within  the  circle 
of  its  influence,  tiiey  involuntarily  pay  homage  to  that 
which  is  the  one  pre-eminent  distinction;  the    royalty 

of  virtue. 

"As  the  good  Pastor  grew  earnest  and  eloquent, 
and  reproachful,  over  the  merchantable  ideas  that  rule 
the  hour,  my  tall  companion  slowly  raised  his  head 
from  the  long  profound  reverie,  and  directed  his  eyes 
to  the  President  and  his  cabinet  officials,  whom  he 
viewed  with  the  most  searching  look  1  ever  saw  in  a 
human  being.  His  gaze  was  steady  and  continued 
and  never  relaxed  until  the  reading  of  Whittier's 
sublime  poem  at  the  sub-Tresury  building,  to  which 
we  had  been  transferred  by  the  same  mysterious  influ- 
ence that  had  brought  me  to  St.  Paul's 

"  Here  we  were  standing  on  the  site  where  the  im- 
mortal Washington  took  the  oath  of  c<f.''e  as  first 
President  of  the  United  States  of  America.  The  eyes 
of  both  my  companions  kindled  at  the  noble  move- 
ment of  the  poem: 


■igi^v. 


:tjiiHfa«>^>wM^ ' 


l.''\i 


I- 


"THK  HROTirER. 


\i ' 


■Si|: 


rip;  f,u  v?^:How  felt  the  land  in  every  part, 
■  i -vf  ,ij ,  ijiTho  strong  throb  of  u  Nation's  heart, 
M,U-  *  V    .  A^  ?'*"  groat  leader  gave  with  reverent  awe, 
Ilis  plod(;e  to  Union,  Liberty  and  Law. 


;-«if. 


'!•' 


"<•'«■,{■■ 


'  Thank  ood  the  people's  choice  was  just, 
The  one  man  equal  to  his  trust, 
Wise  beyond  love  and  without  weakness  good. 
Calm  in  the  strength  of  flawless  rectitude. 

Lol  where  with  patient  toil  he  nursed, 
'  And  trained  the  now  set  plant  at  first, 
')'  The  widening  branches  of  a  stately  tree, 
i- Stretch  from  the  sunris*'.  to  the  sunset  sea. 


1**     * 


':  '  {>  ^'■'  i-      f'One  people  now  all  doubt  l)eyond, 

'^''vl*/;^ ':/V  His  name  shall  be  our  am  ..        '  .    , 

■  %.  ,   ';  't  f-  •  j!-  ^^  '*'*  "U'"  hands  to  heaven,  and  here  and  now, 
'  Taki:  on  our  lips  the  old  centennial  vow. 

The  j-eading  of  the  poem  closed  and  cheer  after  cheer 
went  up  from  the  vast  sea  of  human  beings  who 
densely  packed  the  street.  This  mighty  ovation  how- 
ever, was  not  for  the  great  thought  of  the  poem,  or 
for  the  studious  care  with  which  the  trained  and  world 
wide  celebrated  poet  composed  the  verses  in  the 
retreat  of  his  quiet  home  in  New  England,  from  which 
his  aesthetically  dressed  thoughts  have  been  sent  out 
over  the  earth  to  refine  the  heart  of  man  and  be  a 
heritage  to  his  better  self  forever.  Oh  no;  the  mighty 
ovation  was  not  for  the  poet  or  his  poem!  The  citi- 
zens of  a  century  of  freedom  sent  forth  this  mighty 
shout  for  the  wealthy  Lawyer,  who  figured  so  prom- 
inently at  the  feast  at  the  Lawyers'  Club  on  the 
previous  day,  and  who  first  received  the  distinguished 
attention  of  the  successor  of  Washington,    who    now 


micsB 


re'jKw^^-gjB'B 


"TlIK  BROTHER. 


119 


pt, 

Diit  awe. 

Law. 

jn^jt,  ' 

ikness  goniK 
ititufle. 

led, 
rst. 
r  tree, 
uset  sea. 


ere  and  now, 
vow. 


i  cheer  after  cheer 
man  beings  who 
jhty  ovation  how- 
ofthe  poem,  or 
trained  and  world 
he  verses  irt  the 
gland,  from  which 
lave  been  sent  out 
if  man  and  be  a 
)h  no;  the  mighty 
poem!  The  citi- 
Drth  this  mighty 
figured  so  prom- 
ers'  Club  on  the 
I  the  distinguished 
ngton,    who    now 


sits  on  the  sacred  spot   before   us.      The    same   mob 
would  have  ignored  the  Lawyer  and  cheered  twice  as 
strong  if  the  Pugilist,  Sullivan,  had  immediately  gotten 
up  to  give  a  sparring  exhibition.     The  wealthy  Law- 
yer was  here  as  orator  of  the  day  and  certainly  gave  a 
cleverly  condensed  historical  account  of  the  promises 
that  ied  to  the  formation  of  the  Union  of  States,  and 
the  difficulties  attending  them.      He    spoke  of  Jeffer- 
son's great  wisdom;  how  he  caught  and  crystallized  the 
spirit  of  free  in.stitutions,  and  of  his  abiding  faith  in  the 
people;  of  his  passionate  love  of  lib(  -ty  and  his  jealousy 
of  authority.     He  spoke  of  Hamilton  being  the  incar- 
nation of  the  constitution,  and  Jefferson  the  inspiration 
of  independence;  and  the  success  to  all  by    the  confi- 
dence in  Washington.     He    spoke    of  the    confusion 
and  disorganized  condition  of  the  Continental  States; 
the  sufferings  of  the    laborers,    and    of  trade,   under 
their  separate    and    individual   struggle   to    maintain 
themselves  previous  to  the  formation   of  *he   Federal 
Union;  of  the  perfect  results  of  the  Convention  of  1787 
at  Philadelphia,  quoting    Gladstoi  e's    opinion    of  its 
merits:  'The  American  Constitution  is  the  most  won- 
derful work  ever  struck  off  at   a   given    time  by   the 
brain  and  purpose  of  man.'     He  spoke  of  the  crisis  at 
the  convention;    how   the    courage    of  its    members 
weakened,  and  the  danger  of  failure,  of  Washington's 
words  at  the  critical  moment:  '  Let  u.s  raise  a  standard 
to  whi<:h  the  wise  and  honest  can  repair.'     He  spoke 
of  the  adoption  of  the  principle  of  the  government  of 
the  people;  how  it  brought  safety  and  liberty:       'We 
the  people  of  the  United  States,  in  order    to   form  a 


lab 


"TIIK  BROTHKR." 


^ 


more  perfect  union,  establish  justice,   insure  don>estic 
tranquillity,  provide  for  the  common  defense,  psomote 
the  general  welfare,  and  secure  the  blessings  of  liberty 
to  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  do  ordain   this  consti- 
tution'.   He  spoke  of  the  bloody  reality  of  the  French 
revolution,  the  nightmare  of  the  civilized  world;  how 
the  tyranny  of  centuries  culminated  in  frightful  repri- 
sals and  reckless  revenges.  We  stand  to  day  upon  the 
dividing  line  between  the  first  and  second  century  of 
constitutional  government.  There  are  no  clouds  over 
head,  no  convulsions  under  our  feet.     We  rever 'ft' 
return  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  the  past,  and  wjth 
confident  and  hopeful  promise  march  upon  sure  ground 
toward  the  future.     He  spoke  of  the  great   granaries 
and  exhaustless  reservoirs  of  National  wealth,  of  the 
infant  industries  that  give  remunerative    emplova,ent 
to  the  people,  of  the  industrial  annual   outpiv   of  our 
Nation  amounting  in  value  to  seven  thousand  millions 
of  dollars;  that  we  owned  one  half  of  the  Railroads, 
and  one  quarter  of  the  Telegraph  lines  of  the    world; 
that  this  realism  of  material  prosperity,  surpassing  the 
wildest  creations  of  the  romancers    who  have  aston- 
ished and  delighted  mankind,  would  be  full  of  danger 
for  the  present,  and  menace  for  the  future,  if  the  virtue, 
intelligence  and  independence  of  the  people,  were  not 
equal  to  tha  wise  regulation  of  its  uses,  and  the  stern 
prevention  of  its  abuses.     He  spoke  of  the  wonders  of 
steam  and  electricity:  how  they   have   affected    com- 
merce and    th':    governments    of  the    world,    of  the 
changes    of  European    dynasties.       But    to-day    the 
American  people  after  all  the  dazzling  developments 


%'"' 


nsure  doirestic 
fense,  piomote 
ssings  of  liberty 
tin  this  consti- 
r  of  the  French 
ed  world;  how 

frightful  repri- 
o  day  upon  the 
ond  century  of 
lo  clouds  over- 
We  revei  f'ft' 

past,  and  with 
on  sure  ground 
reat  granaries 
wealth,  of  the 
i  emplovajent 
outpiv  of  our 
usand  millions 
the  Railroads, 

of  the  world; 
surpassing  the 
o  have  aston- 
:  full  of  danger 
8,  if  the  virtue, 
ople,  were  not 

and  the  stern 
the  wonders  of 
affected  com- 
world,  of  the 
It  to-day  the 
developments 


"THK  BROTHER. 


121 


of  the  century,  are  stUl  happily  living  under  the  gov- 
ernment of  Wa.^hington.  Both  monarchial  and  repub- 
lican governments  are  seeking  safety  In  the  repression 
and  suppression  o^  opposition  and  criticism.  The 
volcanic  forces  of  democratic  aspiration  and  socialistic 
revolt,  are  rapidly  increasing  and  threateJk  peace  and 
security.  ,  But  for  as  no  army  exhausts  our  resources, 
or  consumes  our  youth,  our  navy  must  needs  increase 
in  order  that  the  protecting  fla.^  may  follow  the  ex- 
panding commerce,  which  is  to  compete  in  all  the 
markets  of  the  world.  With  this  inspiring  past  and 
splendid  present  the  people  of  these  United  States, 
heirs  of  a  hundred  years,  marvel^'u-Iy  rirh  in  all  which 
adds  to  the  glory  and  greatness  of  a  nation,  with  an 
abiding  trust  in  the  stability  and  elasticity  of  their 
constitution;  and  an  abiding  faith  in  themselves,  hail 
the  coming  century  with  hope  and  joy.  After  the 
wild  cheer  ng  by  the  people  had  ceased — who  having 
been  worked  into  frantic  enthusiasm  by  the  words  of 
the  speaker,  so  cleverly  and  artfully  delivered  with 
telling  effect — I  was  addressee!  by  '  The  Brother'  whom 
I  had  before  observed  standing  in  a  well  selected  and 
Tavorablc  spot  close  to  the  speakers. 

•"What  do  you  think  of  that  jumble  of  a  wealthy 
'jyfv«r's  paradise  when  one  third  of  the  industrial 
"I  jS.  is  in  enforced  idleness,  a  fact  suppressed  by  the 
United  States  census  conspiracy.'  Ninety  five  per 
cent,  of  the  Nation  mortgaged,  bankrupt,  pauperized, 
and  driven  to  crime  in  all  its  forms !' 

"This  was  spoken  loud  enough  to  attract  attention, 
and  was  overheard  by  the  President   who  looked  at 
i6 


jj^ij.t3*— I 


tlP 


"THE  BROTHER." 


?" 


n 
to 

i 


ii 


'The  Brother'  with  an  inquiring,  anxious  look. 
"'Speak  lower,' I  said.  n   -^  i< 

"'I  knew  a  bankrupt  merchant,  not  long  ago,  one 
of  your  principal  men,  who  is  now  a  desperate  tramp; 
no  hope  for  him  to  get  a  living  without  begging  or 
stealing.  If  it  was  not  for  me  he  would  have  blown 
the  President,  Cabinet,  Supreme  Court  Judges,  Gov- 
ernors, Politicians,  and  the  rich  Orator,  all  into  atoms 
to-day.  What  kind  of  an  answer  would  that  have 
been  to  the  oration — '  with  no  clouds  over  our  heads, 
no  convulsions  under  our  feet.''  My  companions 
heard  this  conversation  and  shook  their  heads  sadly. 
I  could  imagine  that  they  were  thinking  of  the 
slums,  of  the  street  girls,  of  the  churches,  of  the 
press,  of  the  news-boys,  the  concert  saloon,  of  the 
splendors  of  the  i.awyers'  Club  and  Ball  of  the  cen- 
tury, of  the  many  sights  and  conversations  we  had 
during  our  acquaintance,  as  well  as  the  pungent 
remarks  of  the  hojv  man  at  St.  Paul's,  but  an  hour  be- 
fore in  reference  to  political  corruption,  monopoly, 
and  the  dangers  that  menace  the  peace  of  society. 

"'These  people  seem  to  know  as  little  of  their  sur- 
roundings as  they  do  of  the  real  facts  ofhfstory,'  said 
my  Jefferson-like  companion.  If  the  condition  of  the 
people  all  over  the  country  is,  as  you  .say,  similar  to 
what  we  see  h^re  in  the  metropolis,  I  cannot  imagine 
how  an  intelligent  man  like  this  orator  does  not  know 
it,  nor,  can  I  imagine  how  he  can  state  that  there  are 
'no  clouds  overhead,  no  convulsions  under  our  feet;' 
nor,  why  so  many  people  are  in  want  and  driven  to 
crime  and  death,  when  the  output  of  the  granaries  and 
other  wealth  amounts  to  seven  thousand  millions.' 


.:iflt:p$<ff'^i^x 


••THE  BROTHER. 


123 


js  look. 

long  ago,  one 
iperate  tramp; 
t  begging  or 
I  have  blown 
Judges,  Gov- 
all  into  atoms 
lid  that  have 
^er  our  heads, 
r  companions 
r  heads  sadly, 
iking  of  the 
rchcs,  of  the 
saloon,  of  the 
1  of  the  cen- 
tions  we    had 

the    pungent 
t  an  hour  be- 

jn,  monopoly, 

of  society. 

e  of  their  sur- 

f  hfstory,'  said 
indition  of  the 

y,   similar   to 

innot  imagine 
iocs  not  know 

that  there  are 
der  our  feet;' 
nd  driven  to 
granaries  and 

d  millions.' 


'"Sir,  I  never  realized  that  before.  I  have  lately 
lei.rned  to  lealize  the  fact  of  enforced  idleness,  and  the 
consequent  want  and  crime  springing  from  poverty, 
and  can  only  say  that  the  magnitude  of  the  wealth 
that  3^oes  to  the  privileged  classes,  is,  according  to  this 
statement,  simply  appalling;  but  great  as  it  is,  if  the 
monopoly  of  the  opportunities  for  production  by  ihe 
privileged  few  were  removed,  it  would  still  be  greater 
and  instead  of  seven  thousand  millions  per  year,  wt 
would  produce  a  hundred  times  that  amount,  giving 
to  every  human  being  in  the  Republic  a  degree  of 
comfort  and  luxury  that  would  remove  temptation 
to  the  vices  springing  from  ploverty  or  greed. 

"'Are  not  these  crimes  of  national    robbery    more 
heartless  and  wicked  than  the  criTies  of  the  needy.'' 

'"I  am  afraid  sir,  that  I   shall    be   driven    to   take 
that  view.' 

"The  literary  exercises  of  the  inaugural  ceremonies 
were  ended.  The  President.  ex-Presidents,  Cabinet, 
Senators,  Generals,  Admirals,  Clergymen,  Committee- 
men, and  Military  escort,  dashed  rapidly  in  their 
carriages  towards  the  grand  stand  for  review  of  the 
troops  at  Union  Square.  The  route  was  a  sea  of 
people;  hundreds  of  thousands  of  human  beings  on 
either  side  of  Broadway  formed  a  background  to  the 
fifty  thousand  armed  men  who  stood  for  miles  a  glitter- 
ing line  of  steel  and  color.  Emblems  of  the  Republic 
covering  the  facades  of  the  solid  wall  of  massive  build- 
ings rendered  the  long  .vista  joyous,  gay,  and  brilliant, 
as  the  noonday  sun  played  its  strongest  beams  upon 
a  spectacle  that  rivalled    the    imaginative    dreams  of 


124 


"THE  BROTli-ER. 


some  gigantic  fairy  land.  A  blast  of  the  bugle  an- 
nounced the  arrival  of  theN^resident  at  the  grand 
stand,  the  roar  of  a  thousand  drums,  and  music  of 
hundreds  of  bands,  swelled  out  over  another  hundred 
thousand  human  beings  that  filled  the  vast  area  and 
packed  the  windows,  balconies,  porches,  massive  stands 
streets  anc  park.  j?  :.    ii  ;; 

"A  wall  of  notables  surrounded  the  President,  can- 
opied by  the  luxuriant  foliage  just  developed  into  full 
leaf,  that  still  retain  ?d  the  transparent  and  juicy  green 
of  spring.  The  troops  of  the  National  Guard  from 
the  States,  the  Marines,  Grand  Army  men,  the  Artil- 
lery and  Cavalry,  were  in  motion  in  endless  stream; 
innumerable  glittering  bayonets  and  sabres  wearied 
the  ^-ye  by  their  sameness  during  the  long  summer 
afternoon,  as  they  moved  through  the  blue  coated 
police  line  that,  with  difficulty,  kept  the  swaying,  surg- 
ing crowd  from  pressing  the  avenue  of  parade.  For 
six  long  hours  the  people  endured  the  crush  and 
fatigue  of  a  packed  crowd  in  which  it  was  impossible 
to  move.  Delicate  women  struggled  and  fainted, 
unab'e  to  endure  the  press,  the  good  natured  crowd 
often  making  herculean  efforts  to  extricate,  and  place 
them  in  the  front  line  where  it  was  observed  they  im- 
mediately recovered  and  experienced  no  difficulty  in 
standing  for  several  hours,  comfortably  viewing  the 
procession. 

"Humorous  incidents  were  numerous,  growing  out 
of  that  common  disposition  in  our  natures  to  make 
even  suffering  bearable  by  a  bubble  of  humor.  The 
college  boys  had  obtained  lists  of  the  officers   of  the 


J 


:.-"?;*t|J*'"^ 


'THE  BROTHKR. 


125 


lie  bugl«  an- 
at  the  grand 
and  music  of 
other  hundred 
^ast  area  and 
massive  stands 

t  :,:  ■ii.Hi.v!  • 

'resident,  can- 
loped  into  full 
ind  juicy  green 
i  Guard  from 
len,  the  Artil- 
dless  stream; 
abres  wearied 
long  summer 

blue  coated 
iwaying,  surg- 
f  parade.  For 
he  crush  and 
as    impossible 

and  fainted, 
latured  crowd 
:ate,  and  place 
;rved  they  im- 
o  difficulty  in 
'   viewing    the 

!,  growing  out 
ures  to  make 
humor.  The 
)fficers   of  the 


various  regiments,  calling  them  by  name  as  they  pas- 
sed, with  many  light'jests,  peculiar  to  youth.  The 
Irish  element  furnished  many  rude  jokes,  and  a  popular 
preacher  endeavored  to  attract  attention  by  displaying 
himself  mounted  on  a  steed  with  the  distinguishing 
feature  of  a  broad  brimmed,  low  crown,  soft  felt  hat, 
bowing  right  and  left  without  occasion,  in  obtrusive 
fashion,  attracting  only  contempt  and  ridicule. 

"  It  was  a  gala  day  for  those  who  were  seeking  cel- 
ebrity as  public  men  and  an  opportunity  that  was  not 
wasted  by  aspirants  for  public  favor;  to  the  dignity  of 
the  p-'rade  was  udded  the  conscious  pride  of  the  indi- 
vidual; ostentation  being  an  important  and  more  nec- 
essary quality  for  advancement  under  our  social  system 
than  modest  merit  and  virtue.    In  almost  every  prom- 
inent  individual    was   seen   the    strain   and    stiffness 
proceeding  from  the  feeling  that  the  eyes  of  an  obser- 
ving world  wero  possibly   penetrating    to  the    weak 
spot  in  their  hearts,  which  an  awkwardly  assumed  in- 
difference to  conceal,  rendered  more  apparent.    Could 
it  ae  said  that  there  were  any  so  possessed  with  humil- 
ity, and  a  sense  of  honesty  to  their  own   hearts,    that 
pretense  and  the  assumption  of  unpossessed    virtues 
was  foreign  to  their  souls.     It  may  be    thought,   that 
as  'none  are  perfect,  no  not  one,' this  is  expecting  too 
much  from  poor  mortals.     But  is  not  that  a  stronger 
reason  for  throwing  aside  the  swell  of  importance,  or 
the  cowardly  vice  of  trying  to  appear  b:fore  the  igno- 
rant more  than  a  modest  gentleman.' 

"  My  "lysterious  companions  had  been  quite  silent 
since  the  speech  of  the  President   before    noon,   with 


s 


126 


THE  UROTIUSK. 


the  except  on  of  a  few  questions  about  the  principal 
military  p"en  in  the  procession,  I  had  been  questioned 
principally  by  the  tall  man  about  military  affairs,  of 
wh'ch  I  could  give  but  meagre  information;  the  style 
of  their  guns,  and  the  weight  of  their  accoutrements 
and  knapsacks;  of  their  marching  abilities,  tents,  and 
arrangements  for  camping;  then  I  was  questioned 
about  the  horses  and  wagons,  cannon,  ammunition, 
and  what  changes  had  been  made  in  fortifications;  all 
of  which  I  could  answer  only  in  a  gei.eral  way  much 
to  my  regret,  for,  although  he  was  an  old  man,  yet, 
he  showed  great  interest  in  such  matters,  and  I  sus- 
pected that  he  had  once  been  a  soldier. 

"Fortunately  I  had  run  across  'The  Brother'  who 
seemed  somehow  or  other  to  always  be  in  a  good 
situation  to  see  and  hear  all  that  was  going  on.  My 
Jefferson-like  companion  took  great  interest  in  talking 
to  him,  conversation  being  well  kept  up  during  the 
tedious  six  hours  while  the  Army  was  passing.  I 
heard  a  good  deal  of  their  conversation  which  was  al- 
together in  reference  to  the  working  of  the  National, 
State  and  local  laws;  the  principles  laid  down  in  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  the  land  and  social 
questions;  digressing  occasionally  to  matters  close  at 
hand,  even  to  the  city's  free  stand  for  the  people,  that 
was  almost  exclusively  occupied  by  the  families  of  the 
ward  heelers,  and  political  hangers-on.  'The  Brother' 
had  evidently  found  a  companion  who  brought  out 
the  best  powers  of  his  mind,  for  the  two  became  so 
interested  that  they  talked  for  hours  utterly  indifferent 
to  the  immense  moving  pageant,    greatly  interesting 


■3,:'>v 


"TlfK  HKOTHER. 


127 


the  principal 
;en  questioned 
iry  affairs,  of 
tion ;  the  style 
accoutrements 
ies,  tents,  and 
as  questioned 
ammunition, 
'tifications;  all 
ral  way  much 
)ld  man,  yet, 
rs,  and  I    sus- 

Brother'  who 
>e  in  a  good 
oing  on.  My 
Test  in  talking 
p  during  the 
I  passing.  I 
which  was  al- 
the    National, 

down  in  the 
ind  and  social 
atters  close  at 
le  people,  that 
families  of  the 
'The  Brother' 

brought  out 
o  became  so 
;rly  indifferent 
ly  interesting 


persons  standing  next  tothem,  who  also  became  more 
attracted  by  the  conversation  than  the  procession. 

"At  this  I  was  greatly  pleased  for  'The  Brother' 
seemed  to  be  so  thoroughly  at  home  on  political  and 
social  questions,  quoting  authorities  on  these 
subjects,  that  the  stranger  was  better  entertained  by 
him  than  he  could  possibly  have  been  by  me.  My 
natural  inclination  being  averse  to  war,  I  was  entirely 
unfitted  to  admire  the  National  display  of  armed  men, 
the  soul  stirring  martial  music,  the  thunder  of  artillery, 
and  the  glitter  of  the  endless  sea  of  bayonets,  which  I 
could  only  regard  as  cruel  instruments  for  killing  our 
brothers.  In  the  wild  pleasure  exhibited  by  the  peo- 
ple for  soldiery,  there  was  to  me  but  the  evidence  of 
the  savage  nature  that  has  lapped  over  into  the  more 
advanced  civili?«;d  state,  from  which  no  tribe  of  men 
has  yet  eman<  ipated  themselves.  In  war  I  could  only 
see  a  means  of  utilizing  this  savage  nature  that  yet 
exists  in  us  to  achieve  what  some  call  the  highest  aim 
of  civilization;  namely,  the  power  of  one  man  to  make 
some  other  man  work  to  support  him  in  idleness,  or  to 
administer  to  his  inordinate  greed,  and  to  take  all  the 
product  of  his  labor,  except  what  will  keep  him  altre 
so  that  he  can  do  more  work.  So  far  as  I  can  glean 
from  history,  the  boasted  wars  for  principle,  have  been 
generally  only  jealousy  and  fear  of  one  people,  that 
another  people  would  get  a  share  of  the  wealth  which 
they  wished  to  reserve  exclusively  for  themselves,  and 
to  which  they  were  no  better  entitled.  Resistance  to 
invasion,  or,  revolution  against  tyrants  or  robbers, 
must  of  course  be  excepted.     The  entire  population  of 


,;|i 
% 


I 


Si 


128 


'THf:  BROTHER. 


I'm 


the  Globe  could  subsist  luxuriously  on  almost  any 
small  part  of  It  lying  in  the  temperate  zones;  but  these 
chieftains  will  force  upon  you  the  argument  trfiat  we 
must  hav«  war,  it  inspirits  the  people,  and  makes 
heror.j;  it  has  always  existed,  and  those  who  do  not 
want  "var  are  only  sentimentalists  and  dreamers.  Well 
that  may  be  so,  nevertheless  I  know  of  no  logical 
reason  in  all  the  pages  of  history  that  proves  it;  but 
I  do  know  that  the  wise  and  good  of  all  ages  dis- 
approve of  it,  and  these  very  men  who  make  the  argu- 
ment in  favor  of  war  themselves  inconsistently  go  and 
worship  at  the  shrine  of  him  who  taught  peace  on 
earth  and  good  will  towards  men.' 

"The  shades  of  night  began  to  clo.se,  and  dissolve 
the  mighty  crowd  that  gradually  melted  away,  dis- 
tributing itself  in  the  great  city;  soon  to  re-assemblc 
at  the  display  of  fireworks  that  was  to  entertain  the 
public  during  the  evening.  When  night  had  settled 
fairly  in  and  the  dark  blackish  blue  vault  of  a  moon- 
less night  had  formed  a  proper  background,  the  pyro- 
technic serpents,  cascades,  and  flower  pots,  were  .shot 
into  the  sky  in  myriads,  forming  a  jewelled  canopy  of 
falling  stars  of  red,  blue,  yellow,  white,  and  green, 
that  floated  awhile  far  up  in  the  air  burning  with  that 
brilliancy  only  fire  can  give  to  color,  changing,  burst- 
ing and  fading  away,  to  be  succeeded  by  others  pre- 
senting the  same  enchanting  phenomena,  until  all 
the  air  danced  with  the  weird  life  and  beauty  of  fire. 


I   .^.- 


I  almost  any 
»nes;  but  these 
lent  bhat  we 
,  and  makes 
who  do  not 
earners.  Well 
jf  no  logical 
roves  it;  but 
all  ages  dis- 
laketheargu- 
tently  go  and 
lit  'peace   on 

and  dissolve 
■i  away,  dis- 
re-assemblc 
entertain  the 
t  had  settled 
It  of  a  moon- 
jnd,  the  pyro- 
ots,  were  shot 
led  canopy  of 
,  and  green, 
ling  with  that 
mging,  burst- 
y  others  pre- 
;na,  until  all 
•eauty  of  fire. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  INAUGURATION  BANQUET. 

The  base  of  all  the  virtues,  as  Sancho  Panza  cal!<« 
the  stomach,  appears  to  be  the  inspiring  origin  of 
the  most  distinguished  affairs  of  earth.  Whatever  be 
the  interests,  or  glories  of  men,  we  find  both  upon 
state  and  private  occasions  the  filling  of  this  pouch 
with  delicacies  either  precedes  or  succeeds  every  intel- 
lectual operatic.!  of  man  Sancho's  reasoning  appears 
to  gather  its  great  force  from  its  natural  base ;  and 
if  we  view  the  eager  interest  that  even  the  dryest  in- 
tellectual individual  attaches  to  this  operation  on 
state  occasions,  we  are  reminded  that  the  filling  of 
this  pouch  inspires  both  the  material  and  spiritual 
thought  of  man.  No  great  affair  is  complete  without 
the  notables  who  figure  in  it  gather  around  the  slaugh- 
tered and  cooked  carcasses  of  cattle,  swine,  birds,  fish 
and  reptiles,  which  are  made  into  liquid  extracts,  or, 
prepared  to  stimulate  hunger  by  acid,  salt  and  spice. 
These  slaughtered  carcasses  are  placed  upon  pieces 
of  baked  earth  or  metal  that  are  invitingly  embellish- 
ed with  colored  ornaments,  or  sculptures ;  they  are 
surrounded  by  flowers  of  the  field,  placed  upon  white 
fabrics,  and  instruments  provided  to  divide   the  car- 

17 


!:! 


I 


«S^: 


'THK  HKOTIIKR. 


casses  and  lift  the  pieces  to  the  aparturc  that  leads  to 
the  stomach  without  soiling  the  hands.  Sitting  stiff- 
ly these  notables  perform  certain  formalities  of  wait- 
ing a  while  as  though  there  were  no  hurry  to  partake 
of  that  of  which  they  are  sure  ;  often  invoicing  spirit- 
ual aid  that  always  includes  the  request  to  make  it  fit 
for  our  bodies  and  we  will  be  thankful.  After  these 
ceremonies  the  body  is  leaned  forward  so  as  to  pre- 
sent the  aparture  to  the  stomach  in  the  be.st  position 
for  the  instrument;-,  to  convey  the  divided  pieces  to 
It,  which  are  then  washed  down  into  the  paunch  with 
stimulating  solutions  of  tea,  coffee,  grapes,  or  of  grain 
until  it  can  contain  no  more,  when  further  ceremo- 
nies of  an  intellectual  nature  are  in  order.        '*   **»*^- 

"On  the  night  after  the  great  military  pagean'  ^ 
of  these  operations  was  performed  on  the  floor 
Metropolitan  Opera  House,  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States  of  America  and  the  distinguished  men 
and  women,  who  were  the  guests  of  the  Nation  on 
the  occasion  of  the  centennial  inauguration  of  Wash- 
ington, as  the  first  president  of  the  Country.  So  im- 
bedded in  the  nature  of  the  general  public  is  the 
natural  desire  towards  this  filling  of  the  paunch,  which 
Sancho  claims  is  the  base  of  all  the  virtues,  that 
thousands  who  were  unable  to  participate  procured 
for  a  considerable  sum  admission  to  the  dress  circle 
and  galleries  to  see  the  line  of  notables  lean  forward 
and  fill  these  apartures  that  led  to  Sancho's  fountain 
of  all  that  is  sublime  in  man. 

"The  carcasses  were  divided,  masticated  and  stored 
away  in  the   many  paunches,  and    the  virtuous  base 


'*^i^~ 


"THK  BROTHKR. 


131 


c  that  leads  to 

Sitting  stifT- 

ities  of  wait- 

irry  to  partake 

yoking  spirit- 

t  to  make  it  fit 

After  these 

so  as   to    pre- 

best    position 

ided    pieces  to 

le  paunch  with 

pes,  or  of  grain 

rther  ceremo- 

ler. 

y  pagean'       • 
he  floor 
esidcnt  of  the 
iguished   men 
be    Nation    on 
ition  of  Wash- 
ntry.     So  im- 
pubhc  is  the 
paunch,  which 
virtues,   that 
pate    procured 
e   dress  circle 
s  lean  forward 
cho's  fountain 

ted  and  stored 
;  virtuous  ba^e 


thoroughly  established,  as  was  evident  in  the  change 
of  proceedings  which  immediately  began  to  take  on 
an  intellectual  character;  many  sentiments  being 
formally  announced  of  a  high  ort'er;  such  as  the  hos- 
pitable address  of  welcome,  'George  Washington, 
The  l'e()|)le  of  the  United  States,  The  States,  The 
Ketleral  Constitution,  The  House  of  Representatives, 
The  Senate,  The  Presidency,  The  Judiciary,  The 
Army  and  Navy,  Our  Schools  and  Colleges,  and  Our 
Literature.  These  noble  subjects  were  given  one 
after  another  while  the  owners  of  the  well  supplied 
and  well  fortified  stomachs  each  held  in  their  hand 
a  glass  containing  some  one  of  the  liquid  extracts  of 
the  grape  or  grain  which  they  also  poured  ato  the 
a^iarture  that  led  to  this  base  of  virtue;  whi  .1  seem- 
ed to  enable  their  intellectual  powers  to  act  with 
greater  vigor,  and  even  gave  its  influence  to  the  spir- 
ituality of  the  imagination  so  that  thought  frequently 
soared  from  fact  and  logic  into  the  regions  of  fancy. 

"'Who  is  that  man  who  f.o  eloquently  and  beauti- 
fully gives  the  address  of  welcome?'  asked  my  tall 
companion. 

" '  That  is  the  Governor  of  the  state  of   New  York.' 

"'He  must  be  a  pure  and  lofty  character.  No  one 
could  utter  such  noble  thoughts  and  sentiments  un- 
less he  Has  animated  by  the  purest  virtue,'  he  replied. 

"1  asked  myself  if  this  chance  acquaintance  of 
mine  belonged  to  earth  or  heaven,  so  strangely  did 
this  remark  sound  in  my  nineteenth  century  ears. 

"  'Solomon  says  "that  it  is  hard  to  read  the  secret 
thoughts  of  the  heart."  I  replied. 


•k'! 


■M^- 


138 


'Tim  BROTHER. 


***Your  remark    would  lead  to   the  inference   that 
this  speaker's  words  did  not  represent  his  heart.' 

"'Well  sir,  I  can  only  say  that  the  universal  opin- 
ion of  this  man  <s  that  there  is  no  more  skillful  poli- 
tician in  the  country,  or  p;reater  adept  in  the  use  of 
what  we  call  'practical  politics,'  for  hisov/n  advance- 
ment. Why  sir  !  he  L  just  here  fresh  from  vetoing 
twice  a  ballot  reform  bill  to  prevent  the  horrifying 
vice  of  corruption  at  the  polls;  a  reform  system  that 
has  been  tested  for  more  than  thirty  years  success- 
fully in  some  of  the  most  civilized  countries:  and  with 
us  was  the  final  struggle  of  the  hope  of  patriots  to 
save  our  free  political  institutions  by  making  it  diffi- 
cult, or  impossible,  for  the  unscrupulous  to  control  , 
them.  You  may  find  among  interested  politicians 
those  who  would  endorse  your  sentiment  in  regard 
to  him,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  you  tould  'ind  any  among 
the  general  public  who  are  acquainted  with  such 
matters.'..A.,-,-vi-u-^ .,  -^xU^., 

"1  had  seen  many  serious  expressions  on  this  pe- 
culiarly grand  and  interesting  man's  face,  during  our 
few  days  acquaintance,  that  impressed  me;  but  the 
searching  look  that  he  gave  me  as  I  finished  the  last  sent- 
ence was  one  of  virtuous  indignation  that  I  shall  never 
forget.  If  sublime  virtue  herself  had  been  grossly 
insulted,  she  could  not  from  her  deified  face  have 
looked  such  scorn.  I  thought  he  would  never  relax 
his.  ^aze  upon  me.  If  the  evil  of  all  the  powers  of 
darkness  in  the  universe  had  culminated  in  its  last 
effort  against  the  throne  of  truth,  it  could  not  have 
awakened  greater  horror  than  was   exhibited  in    this 


"THE  BROTH KR. 


ns 


:  infertnce  that 
:  his  heart.' 
universal  opin- 
re  skillful  poli- 
Jt  in  the  use  of 
is  own  advance- 
1    from    vetoing 

the    horrifying 
m   system   that 

years  success- 
ntries:  and  with 
e  of  patriots  to 
making  it  diffi- 
lous  to  control  . 
sted  politicians 
nent  in  regard 
find  any  among 
ited    with    such 

ans  on  this  pe- 
ace, during  our 
me;  but  the 
ed  the  last  sent- 
lat  I  shall  never 
i  been  grossly 
fied  face  have 
Id  never  relax 
the  powers  of 
ited  in  its  last 
Duld  not  have 
hibited  in    this 


mysterious  mail's  face  at  that  moment.  I  was  paral- 
ized  by  his  look.  As  for  me,  I  was  tri\ined  to  hear 
glowing  tributes  to  virtue  from  sinners;  it  had  grown 
with  my  life  and  belonged  to  the  age  I  lived  in:  it 
,  was  part  of  the  system.  I  had  been  taught  to  admire 
such  maxims  asthose  of  Talleyrand,  'that  speech  was -^ 
given  to  man  to  conceal  his  thoughts.'  Hypocracy 
had  become  the  god  of  all  the  earth;  extending  even 
to  the  teachers  of  piety.  A  distinguished  exhibition 
of  it  had  passed  us  on  horseback  in  the  parade  a  few 
hours  before,  a  follower  of  the  humble,  modest  Sav- 
ior, bowing  and  scraping  for  adulation. 

"The  toast:  'The  People  of  the  United  States,' 
.  had  been  responded  to  by  the  ex-President,  when 
my  younger  companion  remarked  'that  the  subject 
was  fertile.'  '  In  the  present  condition  of  society, 
the  statements  of  your  ex-President  are  certainly 
quite  n;ild.  He  evidently  knows  more  of  social  con- 
ditions than  he  cares  to  state.  When  he  states  that : 
'The  value  uf  these  things  is  measured  by  the  fullness 
with  which  our  people  have  preserved  their  patriotism, 
their  integrity,  and  their  devotion  to  free  institutions. 
If  engrossed  in  ir.aterial  advancement,  or  the  turmoil 
of  business,  they  have  not  held  fast  to  that  love  of 
country,  and  that  simple  faith  in  virtue  and  enlighten- 
ment, wkich  constituted  the  hope  and  trust  of  our  fa- 
thers, all  that  we  have  built  rests  upon  foundations 
infirm  and  weak.'  It  is  quite  clear  that  the  man  sees 
the  drift  of  your  present  social  conditions.' 

"'I  think  so,  in  a  general  way;    as    though  a  man 
from  a  lofty  height  would  se£  the  general  features  of 


w 


/y  '  ■^'''  -■•   j*~^' 


-%7^ 


m 


"THE  BROTHER." 


the  scene  before  him.    That  he  knows  by  contact  the 
real  state  of  society,  I  seriously  doubt,' 

"*He  said,  also,  'that  our  people  are  still  jealous  of 
their  individual  rights  and  freedom,  as  is  proved  by 
the  fact  that  no  one  in  place  or  power  has  d^rcd^ 
openly  to  a.ssail  them.'  This  I  should  think  is  a 
hopeful  sign,  furnishing  something  as  a  foundation  to 
build  on  for  the  improvement  of  society.' 

'"Yes  sir,  it  may  so  be  hopefully  considered;  but 
then,  his  following  remarks  weaken  that  hope,  for 
they  may  be  construed  in  two  ways:  a  full  return  to 
the  laborer  for  his  labor;  or,  the  charitable  view,  that 
he  is  to  be  paid  the  wages  of  lobor  competition, 
which  is  kept  active  by  shut  downs,  or  importations 
of  cheap  labor,  that  forces  him  to  the  death  line.  I 
am  willing  to  put  the  best  construction  on  his  words 
when  hesays:  "The  diversity  of  our  interests,  through 
the  source  of  boundless  wealth  as. .J  prosperity  has  a 
tendency  to  press  our  people  apart.  This  condition 
demands  of  us  a  counter  force  of  liberty  and  tolera- 
tion toward  each  other,  and  an  enlightened  regard 
for  the  condition  of  every  individual  who  contributes 
to  the  aggregate  of  our  National  greatness.  This 
agg^'egate,  fostered  and  increased  by  united,  earnest, 
and  unselfish  effort,  will  yield  a  full  return  for  indi- 
vidual enterprise  and  labor,  without  drying  up  the 
fountains  of  brotherly  kindness  and  forbearance  up- 
on which  the  political  health  of  our  people    depends.' 

'"So,  you  see  that  all  men  are  engaged  in  reason- 
ing; all  are  occupied  in  deducing  good  crbad  conclu- 
sions from  premises.  In  a  general  way  correct  prein- 


t 


■^/^ 


contact  the 

11  jealous  of 

proved    by 

has    d^rcd^ 

think    is  a 

undation  to 

idered ;  but 
t  hope,  for 
I  return  to 
B  view,  that 
ompetition, 
Tiportations 
th  line.  I 
I  his  words 
its,  thro'jgh 
erity  has  a 
s  condition 
and  tolera- 
ticd  regard 
contributes 
less.  This 
sd,  earnest, 
1  for  indi- 
'ing  up  the 
arance  up- 
:  depends.' 
I  in  reason- 
bad  conclu- 
rrect  prem- 


"THE  BROTHER. 


135 


ises  bring  about  uniform  results.    A  theory  that  does 
not  tend  to  benefit  is  unworthy  of  regard.      A  modi- 
fication that  is  only  a  temporary  expedient,  is  almost 
useless,  and  stands  in  the  way  of  a  radical  cure.  But, 
.  in  putting  the  most  favorable   construction    upon    his 
words,  it  can  only  be  on  the  line    that  the    ex-Presi- 
dent is  manly  enough  to  speak  of  serious  things  ashe 
believes  them,  and    that  he   does   not  resort  to   the 
beautiful  glamor  of  the  Governor  to  dazzle  the  mind. 
The    meaning    of  his    remarks    is    simply   this:    th« 
wealthy  people  and  the    laborers  are  pressing  apart; 
to  counteract    which,    liberality   and   toleration    are 
needed.      There  should    be  unselfish  regard  for   the 
contributors  to    national     greatness;     and   political 
health  depends    on  brotherly    kindness.       Is  this  not 
coaxing  the  two   sides  (forever    separated)  together.' 
The  laborer  cannot  come,  for  he  knows  that  he  must 
exert  his  strength  to  its  utmost    while  it   lasts.      He 
also  knows  that  the  meanest,  and  lowest,  and  cheap- 
est people  of  the  earth,  are,  by  an  organized     ystem 
of  agents,  scraped  up  in  every  down-trodden  country 
and  their  fares  mostly  paid  across  the  ocean,  to  com- 
pete  with  him.      Under   these    conditions  he  has  no 
broi  herly   kindness,    or    liberality,  to   offer.      It  is  as 
certain,  also,  as  the  grave  that  the  capitalist  who  em- 
ploys him,  however    humane  he    may    naturally    be, 
must  ever  increase  the  strain  on  the  loborer;  for  that 
is  compelled  by  the  curse  of  competition.      One  is  as 
much  %  victim  as  the  other  of  the    system.      So  you 
see,  the  kind  thoughts  of  the  ex-President  can   nevei 
be  brought  into  practice  by  charity;  but  must,  if  ever 


136 


"THE  BROTHFH. 


brought  about  at  all,  be  on  the  principle  of  common 
justice,  by  giving  to  every  man  that  which  honestly 
belongs  to  him;  viz,  the  full  fruits  of  his  labor.  To 
do  so,  politics  must  be  totally  abandoned,  and,  in  the 
words  of  Washington,  "We  must  raise  a  standard  to 
which  the  wise  and  honest  can  repair.'" 

'"The  reply  of  the  Chief  Juscice,'  said  my  Jefilerson- 
like  companion,  'to  the  toast:  "The  Federal  Consti- 
tution,' embodies  a  perfectly  clear  idea  of  the 
progressive  history  that  developed  tht-  Federal  Con- 
stitution. All  systems  had  been  studied  and  discussed 
in  the  several  states  and  the  difficulties  of  each  were 
well  understood,  so  that  with  patience,  moderation 
and  wisdom  it  was  brought  together  in  its  present 
form.' 

"While  general  Sherman  was  responding  to,  'The 
Army  and  Navy,*  my  tall,  Washington-like  companion 
paid  close  attention.  The  recitals  that  were  given  of 
the  fidelity  and  sufferings  of  Washington  and  his  army 
at  Valley  Forge,  visibly  agitated  him — his  chin  and 
lips  quivering  with  emotion.  As  the  General  xlos«d 
his  address,  he  turned  to  me  and  said :  '  How  sad  a 
reflection  that  the  excuse  must  be  made  by  this  brave 
man  for  the  existence  of  an  army  and  nivy  because, 
'  no  government  has  yet  been  devised  where  at  times 
force  has  not  been  necessary.'  After  some  moments 
of  thoughtful  reflection,  he  continued  :  'There  must 
come  a  time  when  the  adoration  of  a  character  will, 
by  changes  and  new  conditions,  become  weakened, 
or  obliterated.  With  these  speakers,  the  universal 
sentiment  is  the    adoration    of  the   single  rharacter. 


"THE  BROTHER. 


137 


of  common 

:li    honestly 

abor.      To 

and,  in  the 

standard  to 

y  Jeflerson- 
;ral  Consti- 
idea  of  the 
ederal  Con- 
id  discussed 
each  were 
moderation 
its   present 

ng  to,  'The 

companion 
ere  given  of 
nd  his  army 
is  chin  and 
eral  closed 

How  sad  a 
V  this  brave 
'y  because, 
re  at  times 
e  moments 
rhere  must 
acter    will, 

W'^kened, 
:    universal 

''haracter. 


'\ 


Washington.  The  reasons  given  are  purity  of  char- 
acter and  unselfish  devotion,  well  assuming  these 
virtues  to  be  represented  in  Washingrton's  character 
in  their  highest  human  phase,  and  admitting  the  de- 
sirability for  a  National  model  worthy  of  imitation,  is 
it  sufficient  to  maintain  a  natior  <-{  people  in  the  path 
of  virtue  ?  From  what  I  have  seen  and  heard  of  the 
state  of  society,  it  is  not  in  condition  to  contemplate 
the  unselfish  virtues  of  any  character,  even  that  of 
our  Savior.  It  has  been  stated  here  by  your  ex-Pres- 
ident that  your  rich  and  poor  are  pressing  apart,  and 
you  say  that  as  matters  stand  the  gulf  must  widen, 
that  competition  between  one  another  forces  the  rich 
to  press  upon  the  laborers,  and  competition  is  forced 
upon  the  laborers  by  multiplying  them  by  cheap  im- 
portations from  abroad.  That  combinations  among 
the  rich  to  control  competition  can  not  save  them 
from  disaster,  is  evident;  becau.se,  it  will  shorten  em- 
ployment, reduce  laborers,  and  render  the  mass  un- 
able to  buy  the  things  which  constitute  industrial 
wealth.  There  must  be  some  other  ideal  among  the 
people  than  the  adoration  of  an  unselfish  character; 
for  here  we  find  the  adoration  given  by  all  kinds  of 
men  who,  by  words  extol  virtue,  but,  by  necessity  or 
some  other  cause,  do  not  practice  it.  The  element 
of  strife  among  you,  is  the  fear  of  poverty  and  its 
miseries;  a  danger  fi  om  which  none  are  exempt.  The 
rich  among  you  are  liable  to  become  paupers,  and  do 
frequently  become  such;  none  appear  to  have  securi- 
ty. The  desire  to  be  removed  from  poverty,  l«ads  to 
a  hard  effort  to  acquire  wealth,  which  again  in  most 
18 


Bi-^^aW 


138 


"THE  BROTHER." 


I', 

ii 

if 


instances,  if  not  in  all,  brings  on  the  insanity  of  greed; 
a  disease  that  obliterates  all  virtuous  thought  and 
feeling,  and  leaves  the  soul  a  wreck.  There  is  some- 
thing higher  than  an  individual  character  to  adore; 
that  is,  a  principle — the  principle  of  justice,  justice  to 
one  another.  A  people  who  have  justice,  rest  upon 
an  enduring  foundation,  as  enduring  as  humanity  it- 
self. With  such  a  people  inordinate  greed  or  want 
could  not  exist:  vice,  misery  and  crime,  would  be  en- 
tirely eliminated  from  their  midst,  and  society  would 
know  wa*-  and  strife  nomore.  This  is  the  only  'stand- 
ard to  which  all  wise  and  honest  men  can  repair.'" 

"The  closing  address  by  President  Harrison,  was 
excellent  in  sentiment  and  produced  p  good  impres- 
sion, which  found  expression  in  unanimous  and  en- 
thusiastic cheering,  followeii  by  a  rush  for  the  doors 
in  which  all  formality  was  forgotten. 

*'  By  th  •  same  mysterious  influences  that  had  previ- 
ously transported  my  campanions  and  1  to  wherever 
we  wished  to  go,  we  found  ourselves  free  from  the 
crowd  and  out  on  the  broad  avenue. 

"Although  the  night  was  far  spent  multitudes  of 
people  were  on  the  street,  as  though  sleep  fled  the 
city.  Many  could  be  distinguished  as  strangers  who 
were  doubtless  taking  advantage  of  the  entertaii  nents 
so  largely  put  forth  by  the  shows  and  numberless 
fakers  of  the  city.  Most  of  the  people  were  stimulat- 
ed into  a  nervous  excitement  by  the  extraordinary 
magnitude  of  the  Centennial  of  the  Inaugural  that 
had  lasted  two  days,  with  another  day  of  fete  to  come, 
which  I  informed  my  companions,  would  be  more  in- 


<f 


1 


■nftxsM 


HMMp 


'THE  BROTHER. 


139 


ity  of  greed; 
bought   and 
ere  issome- 
r  to   adore; 
e,  justice  to 
rest   upon 
umanity  it- 
red  or   want 
ould  be  en- 
cjety  would 
)niy  'stand- 
repair.'" 
rrison,    was 
>od  impres- 
ts  and  en- 
r  the   doors 

t  had  previ- 
3  wherever 
:    from    the 

iltitudes  of 
P  fled  the 
ngers  who 
•rtaii  nents 
numberless 
e  stimulat- 
:raordinary 
gural  that 
"e  to  come, 
e  more  in- 


«' 


I 


teresting  as  a  civic  fete  than  any  we  had  witnessed; 
because  it  would  be  the  work  of  the  people  themselves 
and  not  of  officials  of  the  State  or  Nation,  exhibiting 
more  of  the  characteristics  of  industrial  life.  My  com- 
p^.nions  replied,  that  they  would  net  witness  it,  hav- 
ing been  interested  principally  in  the  character  and 
work  of  the  Executive  and  Legislative  branches  of 
Government;  the  joyous  efforts  of  the  people  on  such 
an  occasion,  would  not  represent  the  blessings  de- 
rived from  happy  and  just  government;  they  had  al- 
ready seen  the  character  of  the  press  of  the  country, 
the  character  of  the  officials  and  the  methods  by  which 
they  were  chosen  for  their  high  offices;  they  had  seen 
the  absolute  rule  and  influence  of  monopoly  and 
money;  the  awful  wretchedness  of  the  laborers  who 
produce  all;  they  had  sesn  the  crimes  and  vices  born 
of  poverty;  and  the  heartlessness  and  emptiness  of 
even  the  pious,  and  would  see  no  more. 

"The  younger  man,  who  resembled  Jefiprson  so 
strongly,  threw  his  arms  about  my  neck  and  leaning 
his  head  upon  my  breast,  sobbed  and  trembled  from 
head  to  foot  with  emotion.  I  had  often  tried  to  con- 
ceive the  mental  agony  of  the  Savior  of  the  World 
during  his  awful  night  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemene, 
but  until  the  mental  sufferings  of  this  divine  looking  • 
old  man,  who  hung  like  a  wrecked  spirit  upon  my 
unworthy  neck,  could  I  form  the  slightest  idea  of  what 
mental  agony  was:  physical  suffering,  accident  and 
death,  had  often  been  witnessed,  but  they  pale  into 
nothingness  before  the  sufferings  of  the  intelligent 
soul.     The  tall,    Washington-like    man    took    me  by 


I  ■!*    <(T-|>  ^lli'  I'fTfiii-  -"iff  ^ 


1140 


"THE  BROTHER." 


1', 

!:■•' 


lf%    ' 


the  right  hand  of  fellowship  and  said:  'I  thank  you, 
young  man,  tor  the  ■.  pirit  of  kindness  you  have  shown 
us.  I  appreciate  the  generous  thoughts  you  have  to- 
wards humanity;  and  marvel  at  the  liberty  of  your 
social  ideas  in  an  age  when  the  souls  of  men  arc  so 
deadened  to  virtue  that  the  idols  of  wickedness  have 
become  the  deities  whom  they  fiercely  adore.  Fare- 
well I  I  bless  your  generous  spirit.  Do  what  you  can 
in  your  day  to  break  the  power  of  monopoly  to  de- 
stroy this  race  of  men,  and  should  you  perish  in  your 
work,  your  full  reward  will  be  in  your  heart  and  con- 
science; and  your  spirit  will  come  to  the  arms  of  the 
glorious  martyrs  of  all  times,  with  whom  we  are  per- 
mitted to  dwell.  I  am  the  spirit  of  George  Washing- 
ton; with  my  beloved  brother,  Thomas  Jefferson,  I 
have  been  permitted  to  visit  earth  again  at  the  end  of 
the  century,  to  witness  the  glories  we  anticipated 
from  the  results  of  our  toil,  and  to  see  the  fulfillment 
of  the  l^ope  for  which  martyrs  died  on  bloody  fields 
with  huzzas  for  liberty  gurgling  with  the  death  rattle 
in  their  throats.  Alas!  my  young  friend,  our  hopes 
have  not  been  realized.  The  canker  worm  of  all  this 
social  destruction,  we  could  not  eradicate  in  our  day; 
it  came  to  us  from  ancient  days.  It  was  imbedded  in 
the  laws  upon  which  civilizations  have  ever  been 
based,  and  it  has  eaten  the  heart  of  every  empire  es- 
tablished by  man — it  is  the  private  monopoly  of  pro- 
duction. This  power  was  too  much  for  the  commune 
of  the  early  Christians,  who,  when  blotted  out,  had 
their  creed  of  love  and  justice  changed  to  a  base  sim- 
ilar to  what  you  now  call  '•  practical  politics."      My 


B 


I  thank  you, 
have  shown 
you  have  to- 
erty  of  your 
men    are  so 
ednesa   have 
iore.     F'are- 
rhat  you  can 
ipoly  to    de- 
[irish  in  your 
art  and  con- 
arms  of  th<: 
we   are  per- 
je  Washing- 
Jefferson,  I 
at  the  end  of 
anticipated 
B  fulfillment 
loody   fields 
death  rattle 
I,  our    hopes 
m  of  all  this 
:  in  our  day; 
imbedded  in 
:   ever    been 
'  empire  es- 
poly  of  pro- 
le commune 
:ed    out,  had 
a  base  sim- 
itics."      My 


"THE  BROTHKR. 


14» 


dear  younjj  man,  never  lose  sight  of  the  central  prin- 
ciple, that  the  private  monopoly  of  things  belonging 
to,  or  produced  by,  all,  is  the  rause  of  the  social  hor- 
rors which  we  have    witnessed  at  this   Centennial  of 
my  Inaugural!    Blessyoulfarewelllfarewell!'  Andthey 
both  dissolved  before  my  eyes,  leaving  where  they  stood 
a  sentence  in  letters  of  blue,  chaste  light,  from  which 
radiated  rays  like  those  of  the  fixed  stars,  that  read: 
•Ail  men  are  entitled  to  Life,  Liberty  and  the  pursuit 
of  Happiness.'      These    lasted    but  a  moment,  when 
they,  too,  dissolved  before  my  eyes,  leaving  me  alone 
in  a  world  where  every  human  being  is  alone,  and  as 
isolated  as  Robinson  Crusoe  in  his  solitude,  but  with 
less  chance  to  exist.     Solitude    may  have   its   poetic 
charms,  but  Hi  awful  weight  to   me,  at  that  moment, 
was  almos  t  unsupportable.     Farewell !  farewell !  fare- 
well!  revorbrated  through    my    depressed  soul,  until 
fatigue  and  sleep,  the  sweet  sister  of  Death,  mercifully 
threw  over  my  spirit  her  heavy  mantle    of  oblivion." 


i 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  CIVIC  PARADE. 

The  rapid  panorama  of  events  of  a  past  age  thus 
made  visible  to  the  wondering  eyes  of  the  historian, 
was  evidently  producing  up'-^n  him  a  degree  of  mental 
excitement  that  ordinarily  would  be  considered  dan- 
gerous in  the  extreme.  The  muscles  of  his  face  were 
rigidly  set;  his  eyes  were  fixed  and  the  pupils  dilated; 


:T?^!57f*i 


142 


•THE  BROTHER. 


&!  . 


the  veins  in  his  Torehead  were  swolen;  and  his  temples 
throbbed  with  a  feverishly  excited  pulse.  The  strange 
power  that  brought  this  retrospective  view  of  a  dead 
past  so  visibly  to  the  present,  also  guided  his  flying 
pen  as  it  uncontrollably  dashed  over  the  endless  sheets 
of  paper  with  the  history  he  so  greatly  desired.  The 
story  of  the  fete  of  the  people  went  on  as  follows: 

"The  morning  that  had  opened  sultry  with  the  Sun 
shining  through  a  misty,  or  hazy,  Septe  ber-like  at- 
mosphere, inconveniently  heating  the  paraders  on 
their  way  to  the  line  of  the  parade,  now  began  to 
thicken  in  the  sky,  forming  a  veil  that  protected  the 
crowded  mass  of  humanity  from  the  direct,  burning 
rays,  as  though  an  approving  smile  from  Heaven  had 
ordered  this  beneficience  to  the  peoples  hundred 
year  holiday. 

•"The  floats  are  coming!  the  floats  are  coming! 
rang  out  from  thousands  of  throats — their  gigantic 
size  and  gilded  splendors  making  them  visible  from 
afar.  Thousands  of  faces  were  turned  towards  them 
as  their  decorated  tops  moving  with  human  life  in  all 
the  gaiety  of  costume  evolved  excitement  from  the 
novelty  of  the  occasion.  Expectancy  was  intensified 
by  the  delay  of  several  hours  beyond  the  time  an- 
nounced. The  various  civic  societies  had  been  corn- 
ing into  the  city  from  New  Jersey,  Long  Island  and 
those  parts  of  the  state  adjacent  to  the  City  of  Ni  w 
York,  since  early  morning.  The  patriots  who  were 
to  march  and  display  their  zeal  and  love  for  the 
blessings  of  free  government,  on  this  gala  day,  after 
a  century  of  progress,  or  decay,  whichever  way  it  may 


J  his  temples 

The  .strange 

cw  of  a  dead 

3ed  his  flying,' 

jndlcss  sheets 

esired.     The 

s  follows; 

with  the  Sun 

ber-like  at- 

paraders  on 

>w    began   to 

protected    the 

rcct,   burning 

Heaven  had 

lies    hundred 

are  coming ! 
heir  gigantic 
visible  from 
owards  them 
an  life  in  all 
nt  from  the 
13  intensified 
;he  time  an- 
d  been  corn- 
f  Island  and 
City  of  Ni  w 
s  who  were 
love  for  the 
!a  day,  after 
ir  way  it  may 


•«T1IE  BROTHER. 


143 


be  viewed,  or  both,  which  may  be  more  logical,  were 
not  of  the  chieftain  class    of  political,  military,  or  re- 
ligious life.     For  them  the  shrine  where  Washington 
knelt  was  surrounded  with  no  pious  sermon,  no  caus- 
tic words  from  holy  men    upbraided    them    for  their 
corruptions,  nor  held  up  the  grim  spectre  of  the  ten- 
dencies of  their   evil   practices.     The   model   of  the 
'Royalty  of  Virtue,'   was   pictured    nrft   in   eloquent 
words;  all  was  left  to  the  «imple   iiearts  and  unsoph- 
isticated consciences  of  these  bent  and  crooked  toilers 
of  the  wage  system,  as  they  came  in  from    the  ferries 
and  the  rail  roads,  dressed    in  their  best,    but  mostly 
unartistically  cut  clothing,  embellished    by  brilliant, 
highly  protected,  cotton,  silk  and   gum  ribbons;  and 
carrying  flags  and  banners  of  their  different   societies 
embellished  by  pictures  of  some  natriot,  or  holy  saint, 
of  our  own  or  other  lands,    over  whose    heads  floated 
the  stars  and  stripes  of  the  thirteen   original  colonies 
that  gained  from  their    British  king   and   master,  the 
right  to  tax  themselves   as  high  as  they  please,  even 
into  the  paralysis    of  trade    and  the    bursting  of  the 
Nation's  Treasury  vaults.    No  wealthy  representative 
of  the  lawyer  alement  pronounced  his  studied  oration 
reciting  the   history  of  the  people,  or  what   achieve- 
ments had  sprung    from  their  brain  and    muscle,  and 
disinterested  souls !     Nor  what  intellectual    schemes 
lia^l  been  planned  and  worked  out  in  all  ages  for  their 
utilization,  as  wealth    producing  factors,   for  their  so- 
called  heaven-selected  care-takers    and  pocketers   of 
their  toil !     No  feast  illuminated  by  the  wizard,  Edis- 
on's magic  light,  beautified  by  cut  glass  colored  with 


1?r 


si'  .;,)jisii||ij!r- 


"m: 


••TIIK  BROTHKR. 


''■V,:    /  :' 

1  -,.:'  t 


&: 


i 


the  rose  tintH  of  gold  and  the  yellows  of  uranium,  daz- 
zled their  eyes,   as  the    enchanting    illuminationH  fell 
upon  choice  viands   imbedded    in    flowers,    rendered 
more    beauteous    by   the    artificial    splendor!       The 
verses  of  no  poet  of  the  people  were  read  to  listening 
throngs  and  throbbing  hearts!     Even    the   President 
was  late  upon  the  scene !     The  fatigue  caused  by  the 
choice  adulations  of  Washington's  virtue  and    devo- 
tion to  the  'people's  cause,'  on    the  previous   evening 
■  at  the  Metropolitan    House   banquet,   where    Sancjio 
Panza's  base  of  virtue  was  so  well   fortified,   and  the 
intellectual    emanations  of  glowing  thought  and  im- 
agination   sent   forth    by   the  historic,    retrospective 
trumpet  of  the  departing    genius  of  the    century  just 
ended,  and  by  the  joyous  blast  of  young  life  and  hope 
of  the  century  just  born,  had  rendered  these   celebri- 
ties unable,  or  disinclined,  to  undergo  the  pageant  of 
the  common  people,   who    were    not   shimmering    in 
diamonds,  or  influential  in  station:  with  whom  person- 
al contact  was  unnecess.i  y  until  the  opening  of  the 
play  of  prejudice,  up-^n    their   ignorance,    wants  and 
'superstitions,  would  .  .gin   with  the  judicious  shower 
of  gold  at  the  next  election,    when    the   franchises  of 
free  and  independent  men,    would   be  exercised  for 
the  nominee  for  office  who  had  paid  the  highest  price 
to  the  political  ring  for  the  honor  of  representing  his 
beloved  people;  whose  joys  and  rude  pleasures  would 
bore  and  fatigue  his  over   feasted  body  that   was  un- 
able to  undergo  the  ennui  of  the  grand   stand  for  one 
more  day. 

"Cheer  after  cheer  was  heard  .long  the  line  as  the 


I 


uranium,  dai:- 
mintitionH  fell 
fts,    rendered 
-ndor!       The 
d  to  listening 
the   President 
caused  by  the 
ue  and    devo- 
iouH    evening 
'here    Sanc^o 
fied,   and  the 
lught  and  im- 
retrospcctive 
century  just 
life  and  hope 
hose    cclebri- 
he  pageant  of 
himmering    in 
whom  person- 
>ening  of  the 
s,    wants  and 
licious  shower 
franchises  of 
exercised  for 
highest  price 
)resenting  his 
jasures  would 
that    was  un- 
stand  for  (»ne 

he  line  as  the 


•'THE  BROTIIRR. 


I4S 


procession  came  on  headed  by  thousands  of  brave 
boys  from  the  schools  and  colleges  who  marched 
with  a  precision  and  steadiness  that  eclipsed  the  train- 
ed soldiers  of  the  military  pageant  of  the  previous  day. 
One  of  the  astonished  military  chieftains  remarked  to 
the  President:  'Give  me  three  months' drill  with  these 
boys  and  I  would  fight  any  army  in  the  world,'  Ye», 
he  would  fight  the  boys;  their  hearts  would  be  anima- 
ted with  martial  fury,  and  they  would  go  forth  in 
myriads  to  kill  their  brothers,  and  be  killed,  for  the 
glory  of  their  chieftain,  to  whom  the  grateful  parents 
would  raise  an  imperishable  monument  to  commemo- 
rate his  gloric  us  achievements,  at  which  other  boys 
could  be  stimulated  and  marched  to  death  and  mar- 
tial glory  for  other  chieftains'  fame,  as  generation 
after  generation  of  boys  came  on  forever. 

"The  drill !  the  drill !  What  inspiriting  animation 
is  in  the  drill  ?  It  was  Macedon's  power !  It  leveled 
Greece  !  Mighty  Rome  went  down  before  its  weight! 
Persia,  Egypt,  Babylonia  and  Palmyra  perished  under 
its  influence  !  And  the  earth  where  once  fair  cities 
stood,  whose  polished  marble  temples  and  palaces 
glittered  in  the  sunlight,  within  whose  walls  flourish- 
ed the  arts  of  peace,  now  exhibits  only  a  few  stones 
to  mark  the  ^pot,  where  the  hiss  of  the  serpent  and 
the  roar  of  wild  beasts  have  supplanted  the  hum  of 
industry  and  the  musical  sound  of  human  joy;  and 
what  was  once  the  paradise  of  man's  intellectual 
achievement,  is  now  sunk  into  oblivion  by  the  glori- 
ous, inspiriting  drill !  It  is  the  substitute  for  social 
organiiiation.  The  soldier  represents  organized  society. 

19 

/ 


K-^f^'^V    '  . 


'THE  BROTHER. 


His  power  is  irresistable.  Millions  of  men  can  be 
supported,  and  al!  the  expensive  paraphernalia  of 
war  maintained,  by  the  few  laborers  of  a  nation.  The 
organization  of  the  army  is  State  Socialism  carried 
out  on  a  pian  to  successfully  kill.  Were  its  social 
organisation  used  to  cultivate  the  arts  of  peace  and  to 
increase  production,  light  labor  to  the  soldier  would 
create  an  abundance  that  would  bring  ease  and  com- 
fort to  the  mais  who  now  supports  him  to  murder ; 
and  should  all  contribute  lightly  to  production,  thcsj 
joyous  carnivals  could  be  multiplied  to  infinity  and 
happy  hearts  beat  in  every  bosom  and  joyous  smiles 
beam  from  every  face.  -n 

"The  soldier  is  losing  his  utility  as  a  means  of  sup- 
port to  the  nower  of  autocrats:  there  is  a  growing 
suspicion  as  to  whether  he  will  fight  or  not.  In  all 
Che  great  aristocracies  of  Europe  there  is  a  feeling 
that  the  seeds  of  ideas  hostile  to  aristocracy  are  sprout- 
ing and  growing  in  their  ranks.  It  is  called  Nihilism 
in  Russia,  and  Socialism  in  Germany,  France,  Eng- 
land and  Italy.  The  so'dier  begins  to  view  intelligent- 
ly that  his  life  has  some  value  beyond  its  creation 
Tor  the  purpos*:'  of  killing  his  brother  across  the  bord- 
er for  the  hollow  glory  of  insane  kings.  The  power 
of  association  and  discussion  is  fa.st  weakening  the 
power  of  his  control  by  superstition  or  patriotism. 
Every  effort  is  being  made  without  avail  to  stamp  out 
this  independent,  slave-*elaxing  tendency.  Its  advo- 
cates are  exiled  to  Siberia  and  to  America,  put  to 
death  by  prison  torture  and  confinement;  their  influ- 
ence and  subsistence  destroyed    by  infernal    arts   of 


■~':<Av<!i^fj:. 


'THE  BRq-TH^R. 


147 


men  can  be 
raphernalia    of 

a  nation.  The 
cialism  carried 
'ere  its  social 
jf  peace  and  to 

soldier  would 
ease  and  com- 
m  to  murder ; 
)dtiction,  thes.' 

0  infinity   and 
joyous  smiles 

1  means  of  sup- 
is  a  growing 

r  not.  In  all 
is  a  feeling 
acy  are  sprout- 
railed  Nihilism 
France,  Eng- 
ew  intclligent- 
i  its  creation 
:ross  the  bord- 
.  The  power 
veaJcening  the 
or  patriotism, 
il  to  stamp  out 
icy.  Its  advo- 
nerica,  put  to 
It;  their  influ- 
rernal    arts   of 


social  prejudice;  their  meetings  forbidden  and  their 
writings  destroyed. 

"Tho  wealthy  lawyer  orator,  of  the  previous  day, 
said:  'Both  Monarchial  and  Republican  governments 
are  seeking  safety  in  the  represtiion  and  suppression 
of  opposition  and  criticism.  The  volcanic  forces  of 
Democratic  aspiration  and  Socialistic  revolt,  are  rap- 
idly increasing  and  threaten  peace  and  security.'  We 
hear  the  customary  rumors  of  war  between  the  great 
nations  but  it  is  studiously  avoided  by  the  rulers,  ex- 
cept in  contests  with  barbarious  and  savage  tribes 
for  their  subjugation,  or  the  control  of  their  territory. 
Uncertainty  reigns.  The  fear  of  a  repetition  of  the 
tragedy  of  the  French  Revolution  that  would  bring 
the  reckoning  of  the  oppression  of  centuries  upon  the 
heads  of  a  few  helpless  aristocrats,  causes  a  halt  in 
the  process  of  fighting  armies  for  amusement  or  glory. 
Society  seems  on  the  balance.  Which  way  will  itturn.-* 

"As  these  thoughts  ran  through  my  mind  at  the 
speed  of  lightning,  brought  up  by  the  brave  and  beau- 
tiful young  men  and  boys  who  marched  with  such 
admirable  precision  past  the  President's  stand,  so  oc- 
cupying me  as  to  their  future,  that  I  did  not  hear  my- 
self addressed  until  I  had  been  spoken  to  the  second 
time  by  'The  Brother'  who  was  standing  beside  me; 
to  whose  kind  inquiries  for  my  companions,  I  stated 
that  they' had  gone  away  suddenly  and  would  not  be 
present  at  the  civic  parade.  This  puzzled  him  some- 
what, but  he  politely  deferred  any  questions  until  I 
saw  fit  to  more  particularly  explain. 

"  '  You  do  not  see  the  floats  that  are  passing.   The 


^  ■•,;!. }m:-^,3^i>^$^b;^ 


148 


"THE  BROTHER. 


ti 


1, 

m 

I'': 


K. 


brown  stjidy  that  occupied  you  for  seme  ininutes 
must  have  been  more  interesting  than  the  procession. 
Are  you  thinking  of  your  Continentiil  friends.'  or,  are 
you  in  love .' ' 

*"I  m  in  love,'  I  replied.  'But  at  that  moment  I 
was  r  t  thinking  either  of  love  or  my  acquaintances, 
but  ot  '•.hose  lovely  boys  who  marched  so  beautifully, 
wondering  if  the  drill  would  lead  them  to  die  on  gory 
fields  of  ambition.' 

'"Yes,  that  is  sad.  '  To-day  you  must  dismiss  sad 
thoughts,  for  you  know  you  have  had  enough  of  them 
for  the  last  few  days  and  nights.  You  see,  the  peo- 
ple are  happy  to-day;  it  is  their  fete.  There  is  little 
or  no  committee  of  the  select  four  hundred  picked 
elite,  of  New  York,  in  this  affair;  but  the  honest  peo- 
ple get  on  wonderfully  by  themselves,  all  willing  to  be 
happy  and  obey  any  orders  given  them.  This  is  a 
day  of  a  hundred  years  to  enjoy  and  make  the  most 
of.  It  is  always  pleasant  to  see  the  people  in  a  free 
state,  without  restraint,  enjoying  themselves;  and  you 
will  find  when  night  closes  there  will  be  fewercutheads 
from  police  clubs  than  on  any  day  of  the  three.  Do 
you  see  the  girls  on  that  float.''  I  knew  every  one  of 
them.  They  work  in  a  tobacco  factory  for  a  sweater.' 

"'What  do  you  mean  by  a  sweater.'' 

"'A  sweacer  is  a  man  who  works  hands  either  on 
contract  work,  or  on  his  own  account;  who'  employs 
the  young,  and  poor,  and  needy,  who  cannot  help 
themselves  and  are  obliged  to  work  for  what  they 
C'sn  get,  glad  enough  to  obtain  employment  that  will 
ensure  them  a  bite  of  the  coarsest  food  to  keep  them 


'•THE  BROTHER. 


149 


me  minutes 
;  procession. 
:nds?  or,  are 

t   moment  I 

qudintances, 

beautifully, 

die  on  gory 

dismiss  sad 
ugh  of  them 
:e,  the  peo- 
lere  is  little 
ired  picked 
honest  peo- 
willing  tobe 
This  is  a 
:e  the  most 
le  in  a  free 
/es;  and  you 
/ercutheads 
three.  Do 
ivery  one  of 
r  a  sweater.' 

Is  either  on 
ho'  employs 
:annot  help 
■  what  they 
snt  that  will 
)  keep  them 


alive.     Where  competition    is   close,   he    makes    his 
profit  out  of  the  sweat  of  these  poor   people,  by  the 
difference  in  wages,  and  the   amount  of  work   he  can 
get  out  of  them.     These    girls   are   young   and  fine 
specimens  of  physical  beauty;  you    could    not   match 
them  among  the  four  hundred.     That  brunette   look- 
ing this  way  with  the  green  and  gold  tights  on,  is  the 
finest  figure  I  ever  saw;  she  would^make  a  fine  model 
for  a  -sculptor.     Her  aged  father  was   badly  crippled 
some  years  ago  in  a  tunnel;  out  of  fourteen  workmen 
he  was  the  only  one  saved,  and  this  beautiful  girl  has 
worked  cheerfully  for  him  ever  since.  The  other  fam- 
ilies of  the  men  who  were  killed,  went  all    to    pieces; 
some  of  the  children  are  around  vet,  the  woman  most- 
ly died,  after  depending   on   charity   for   a   while,  or 
went  to  the  Island  as  paupers.     The  engineers   were 
to  blame  for  the  accident,  but  it    made  no  difference 
except  the  loss  of  work  to  the  company;  and  several 
lives  have  been  lost  since  by  the  same  causes. 

" '  Hello  !  '  Brother,'  cried  some  of  the  girls  from 
the  next  flc  it,  kissing  their  hands  to  hin  in  fun.  They 
were  evidently  happy  and  unconsciously  free  from 
any  idea  of  rudeness  .  their  actions.  The  lives  of 
these  girls  did  not  acquire  their  edom  from  nature 
but  rather  from  ll  classic  precincts  of  the  tenement 
and  sweating  shop.  Being  devoid  of  rules  of  propri- 
ety they  gave  expre  on  to  their  feelings  without  re- 
straint. It  was,  inde  d,  amusing  to  see  ♦:hese  crude 
beauties  in  the  costum  s  of  court  ladies,  delesses,  an- 
gels and  nymphs,  with  their  uncultured  movements, 
impulsive  speech  and  actions.      The  representations 


.|f;R!?^^5sr 


IP...  'c 


150 


••THE  BROTHER." 


M 


if. 


on  the  floats  did  not  suffer  from  these  defects;  there 
was  natural  grace  and  a  certain  ease,  arising  from 
perfect  indifference  to  the  gaze  of  the  multitude  of 
spectators,  that  did  not  abash  them  at  all,  although 
they  were  handsome  and  lovely  to  view. 

"The  remarkable  grace  exhibited  in  the  bachana- 
lian  festal  processions  of  the  ancients,  which  artists 
have  transmitted  to  us,  was  developed  from  the  na- 
tional character  of  their  athletic  games,  and  the  cus- 
tomary and  frequent  repetition  of  these  events  kept 
them  in  training  to  suit  a  public  taste  that  their  so- 
cial life  had  fastidiously  developed.  With  us  the 
daily  struggle  for  existence,  in  our  age  of  scientific 
progress,  has  been  unfavorable  to  even  the  recogni- 
tion of  graceful  movement.  In  the  stiff  proprieties  of 
the  Fifth  Avenue  promenade  it  is  no  less  observable 
than  in  the  natural,  rude  impulses  of  these  wild  chil- 
dren of  nature.  The  awkward  movements  so  peculiar 
to  our  careless  age,  from  which  even  the  artists  of  the 
stage  are  seldom  free,  were  visible  here,  accented 
somewhat  by  the  muscles  trained  to  active  work  in 
shops  and  factories.  Still  there  was  much  to  admire, 
and  one  should  not  be  captious  with  untutored  soci- 
ety, devoid  of  favorable  surroundings,  happily  reward- 
ed when  they  can  look  upon  a  loaf  of  bread,  a  bit  of 
chee.ee,  a  piece  of  meat,  or,  salt  fish,  with  poor  coffee, 
for  a  meal;  with  freedom  from  sickness,  or  death,  and 
prospect  of  work  ahead,  however  poorly  ^«id,  when 
their  wealthy  sisters  have  the  same  universal  defect 
of  elbow  awkwardness,  even  in  the  drawing  room. 

••The  young  men  were  not  behind  in  physical  per- 


Fects;  there 
rising  from 
multitude  of 
1,  although 

ic  bachana- 
bich  artists 
om  the  na- 
nd  the  cus- 
:vents  kept 
at  their  so- 
/ith  us  the 
Df  scientific 
he  recogni- 
■oprieties  of 
observable 
e  wild  chil- 
so  peculiar 
irtists  of  the 
e,  accented 
e  work  in 
1  to  admire, 
tored  soci- 
»ily  reward- 
d,  a  bit  of 
poor  coffee, 
death,  and 
j«id,  when 
rsal  defect 
g  room, 
lysical  per- 


"THE  BROTHER. 


iSi 


fection,  aiid  made  great  merriment  for  the  by-stand- 
er^  in  some  of  the  amusing  characters  which  they 
represented.  Others  were  imprisoned,  for  the  time 
being,  in  stiff  costumes,  of  heroes  and  patriots  of 
many  lands;  of  Washington's,  Jefferson's,  Franklin's, 
Courtiers',  and  dignitaries',  which  admitted  of  no 
amusement.  The  industrial  scenes  of  mechanical  op- 
erations of  all  kinds  exhibited  the  paraders  more  at 
home  than  in  the  stiff  habiliments  of  the  last  century; 
for  here  the  box  coats,  long,  embroidered  vests,  frills, 
laces  and  wigs,  were  discarded  for  the  working  cos- 
tume; rolled  up  sleeves,  brawny  arms  and  the  famil- 
iar tools,  which  were  wielded  with  skill  born  of  long 
practice.  Many  of  these  were  highly  interesting,  as 
allegory  was  blended  with  practical  industry  in  the 
fanciful  creations  of  the  gigantic  floats,  whose  iofty 
tops  frequently  suffered  from  the  telegraph  wires 
that  hung  across  the  line  of  march. 

'*' Here  come  the  kilts!' cried  the  crowd.  And, 
sure  enough  the  Caledonian  club  came  along  with 
their  tartan  plaids,  bare  knees  and  Highland  dress. 
Bag  pipes  lent  their  wild,  savage  strains  to  the  vari- 
ety of  scenes  that  were  ever  passing  our  eyes. 

"The  banner  of  Switzerland,  the  oldest  Republic, 
preceeded  a  float  containing  a  bevy  of  beautiful  girls 
in  charming  costumes,  representing  tht:  years  of  inde- 
pendence, who  flung  a  shower  of  rose  bouquets  at  the 
President  as  they  passed.  Merry  laughter  arose  from 
their  midst,  and  the  yodel  of  the  Swiss  vales  beauti- 
fully echoed  over  the  park  to  enchanted  ears  of  the 
wearied  bat  delighted    crowd.      Bravely   the  bands 


n^ 


"THE  BROTHER." 


n 


played  inspiriting^  popular  airs  as  they  unceasingly 
followed  clubs,  societies,  and  floats.  Hail  Columbia, 
The  Star  Spangled  Banner,  and  America,  were  blended 
with  Wacht  am  Rhine,  Yankee  Doodle,  Marching 
through  Georgia,  and  Patrick's  Da^  in  the  Morning. 
Knights  of  Temperance  followed  the  Apotheosis  of 
Bacchus  and  the  Brewer^  float.  The  Jamestown  col- 
onists, contrasted  the  Piano  Makers.'  The  Kinder- 
garten, contrasted  the  Russian  tea  caravan.  The 
German  refugees,  contrasted  Symphonic  Music.  And 
the  Log  Cabin,  the  Shrine  of  Flora.  From  Ranch  to 
Kitchen,  offset  Washington's  farewell.  The  Carnival, 
contrasted  The  landing  of  the  Emigrants.  Wagners 
Opera,  The  Ships  of  the  Puritans.  Natural  Science, 
contrasted  the  catholic  societies  Arion,  Washing- 
ton crossing  the  Deleware;  and  fairytales,  the  House 
Smiths.  The  Tammany  Society  of  politicians  offset 
the  tragic  music;  and  baking  and  brewing,  the  Swab- 
ian  Harvest  Home.  The  Provision  dealers  contrast- 
ed the  Firemen;  and  the  joys  of  Kriss  Krimble,  the 
Brooklyn  Bridge.  In  all  this  medley  of  fancy,  myr- 
iads of  strange  costumes,  jests,  and  merriment,  the 
people  found  pleasant  entertainment,  marked  by 
good  humor,  and  honest  enjoyment.  The  pale  look- 
ing President  at  last  inquired  when  the  pageant  would 
end;  half  an  hour  more  the  proprieties  of  his  station 
compelled  his  remaining.  At  last  the  stragglers 
came  and  the  President's  carriage  rapidly  passed 
away  as  the  rush  of  the  people  for  the  restaurants 
and  cars,  closed  the  extraordinary  three  days  festivi- 
ties of  a  century  of  American  presidents;  and  ushured 


"THE  BROTHER. 


»53 


inceasingly 
i  Columbia, 
ere  blended 
Marching 
:  Morning. 
)otheosis  of 
:stown  col- 
le  Kinder- 
van.  The 
[usic.  And 
n  Ranch  to 
c  Carnival, 
Wagners 
il   Science, 

Washing- 

the  House 
ians   offset 

the  Swab- 
's contrast- 
rimble,  the 
mcy,  myr- 
riment,  the 
narked   by 

pale  look- 
eant  would 
his  station 

stragglers 
ily  passed 
restaurants 
ays  festivi- 
nd  ushured 


in  the  newly  born,  whose  history,  fraught  with  weal 
or  woe,  will  be  recoro^J  after  this  generation  of  men, 
who  so  proudly  celebrated  the  event,  shall  long  be 
for^'otten  in  the  activities  of  other  times." 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

BOWERY  SCENES,  THOMPSON    STREET  AND  THE 
FLORENCE  MISSION. 

"The  mental  state  that  succeeded  the  strange  ex- 
perience of  the  last  few  days  was  such,  that  I   felt  as 
though  removed  from  fellowship  with  mon.      What  I 
had  seen  and  the  character  of  thought  it  engendered 
brought  a  change  in  my  view  of  society;  had  made  me 
feel  that  my  life  was  an  idiotic  chapter  of  folly   and 
error,  and  I  regarded  myself  and  society  simply  with 
feelings  of  horror.      The    strange   beings   who   had 
made  my  acquaintance  on  the  lonely  batteary,   whert, 
in  the  stillness  of  night,  I  had  sought  the  sympathet- 
ic sadness  of  the   dark,   turbulent  waters  of  the  b?>.y, 
whose  friendly  surge  and  splash,  and  sighs,  were  con- 
sonant with  my  love  disappointed  spirit,  the  two  most 
sublimely  intellectual  patriots  developed  from  all  the 
times  of  the  ages,  who   stood  as   monumental  pillars, 
so  grandly  above  all  other   intellectual   monuments, 
that,  in  the  vast  historic  panorama  of  the  great,  they 
were  alone  in  their  lofty  solitude,  had  brought  me  the 
horrors  of  knowledge  and  left  me  mentally  wrecked. 
20 


^-liiiiiiifflitffiy-.. 


i$4 


"THE  BROTHER." 


II 


fir 


%. 


^!f 


Imagination  forced  upon  me  the  picture  ci  the  great 
of  the  world,  and  the  sufferings  of  their  noble  minds 
in  the  sorrow  brought  to  their  souls  by  the  knowledge 
of  wisdom.  Men  who  lived  lives  of  pain  because  the 
intellectual  light  made  more  clear  the  folly  and  misery 
of  their  kind,  high  and  low;  follies  that  would,  and  did 
kill  the  wise  and  good  who  tried  to  help  mankind  to 
better  life.  I  thought  of  Solomon  writing  in  his  study 
as  he  sat  in  full  view  of  the  splendors  of  the  Temple 
and  Palaces  of  his  magnificent  reign,  the  eloquent  and 
profound  words  that  have  survived  even  their  foun- 
dations:'Much  learning  maketh  the  heart  sad,'  <0f 
all  thy  gettings  get  wisdom,'  all  else  is  vanity  and 
vexation  of  spirit.'  I  thought  of  the  wisest  philosopher 
of  Greece,  forced  by  the  howling  mob  to  drink  the 
poisonous  hemlock  and  end  his  beautiful  life  because 
his  noble  thoughts  were  too  strong  for  them.  I  thought 
of  the  wise  men  of  the  dark  ages,  done  to  death  at 
the  stake  and  poisoned,  to  satisfy  the  fury  of  pious 
hypocrites;  and,  of  the  Savior  of  the  World  stabbed 
to  ensure  his  death  upon  the  bloody  cross.  I  thought 
of  helpless  innocence  hounded  into  poverty,  vice  and 
misery,  by  the  wicked,  and  indifferent  of  society,  and 
the  awful,  yawning  gulf  that  awaits  us  all  as  we  hurry 
around  its  cycles  to  the  vortex.  I  felt  as  though  my 
brain  would  burst  in  the  unsympathetic  solitude  where- 
in I  had  been  left  by  the  sad  farewell  of  the  god-like 
Washington  and  Jafferson;  and  my  spirit  finally  found 
relief  in  heart  breaking  sobs  and  tears. 

"  Company  I  must  have,    and    naturally   I  sought 
the  sweet  woman  to  whom  I  had  pledged   my  troth. 


"THE  BROTHKk. 


155 


i  the  great 
oble  minds 
knowledge 
3ecause  the 
and  misery 
uld,  and  did 
nankind  to 
in  his  study 
le  Temple 
loquentand 
their  foun- 
t  sad,'  <Of 
/anity  and 
3hilosopher 
>  drink  the 
life  because 
I.  I  thought 
o  death  at 
ry  of  pious 
Id  stabbed 
I  thought 
y,  vice  and 
ociety,  and 
as  we  hurry 
though  my 
:ude  where- 
Ite  god-like 
nally  found 

r    I   sought 
my  troth. 


<f 


My  dejection  brought  to  her   heart   anxiety,    inquiry 
and  explanation,  followed  by  heaviness  of  spirit.  Un- 
avoidable was  the  story  of  my  experience,  and  I   felt 
the  crimnality  of  its  recital :    reflections  on    the   sad 
state  of  society  fallowed    and  the   joys    of  innocence 
gave  way  to  the  sorrows  of  knowledge.     '  If  ye  eat  of 
the  fruit,  ye  shall  not  die,  but  ye   shall   be   as  God's, 
knowing  good  and  evil.'      She  had  eaten  of  the  fruit 
of  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil;  and,  hence- 
forth, we  both    must   leave  the    garden    of  paradise, 
wherein  we  had  so  happily  dwelt,  for  the  world  where 
hateful  things  annoy  the  spirit  and  fill  us  with  regrets. 
"The  restless  feeling  continued.     The  ghost  of  so- 
ciety would  not  down,  but  haunted  me  day  and  night. 
At  last  I  sought  the  classic  precincts  of  Regan's   sa- 
loon to  find  '  The  Brother,'   hoping  that   his  compan- 
ionship would  either  bring  relief  or  cure  my   malady 
by  the  'similibus  curandum'  principle.      Should  I  not 
find  a  remedy  for  my  disease,  I  might,  at  least,    find 
occupation  by  studying  its  cause. 

"I  had  expected  to  find  'The  Brother'  on  the  Bow- 
ery early  in  the  evening,  but  the  racing  course  had 
opened  that  day  and,  from  the  excited  conversation 
in  the  saloon  among  the  gamblers,  I  learned  that  all 
the  favorites  were  beaten.  This  gala  day  proved  dis- 
astrous to  their  purses  and  proportionately  gainful  to 
the  managers,  poo!  sellers,  and  them  in  the  secret  of 
how  the  race  was  to  turn  out.  My  friend  had  been 
in  the  whirlpool  of  the  racing  world  that  day  and 
was  belated.  The  time  was  interestingly  occupied  in 
watching  the  eternal  tramp  of  crowds   of  sad,  tired 


■'■*■ 


Mr'' 


*«^ 


"THE  BROTHER." 


hs 


a-.. 


W'': 


!  J  ,  ■>. 


men,  street  girls,  and  depressed,  married  men,  who 
were  airing,  or  purchasing  a  few  necessary  articles, 
with  their  scantily  clothed  and  hopeless  looking 
wives.  An  unusual  number  of  drunken  soldiers  «  m- 
bellished  the  Bowery  accompanied  by  street  girls 
who  shrewdly  endeavored  to  obtain  from  them  what 
money  was  left  of  their  pay,  or  bounty,  before  leav- 
ing to  make  the  acquaintane  of  the  aborigine,  or 
the  buffalo,  upon  the  vast  plains  of  the  Mississippi  or 
the  Missouri.  The  numerous  electric  lights  rendered 
the  Bowery  brilliant  and  the  general  effect  was  en- 
chanting; sham  diamonds  of  great  size  and  brilliancy 
flashed  in  the  shop  windows  purchasable  for  a  trifle; 
the  various  fake  shows  'le  wonderful  leather  man, 
the  headless  woman,  wa.v  tigures,  and  the  exhibition 
of  beauty,  which  latter  consisted  of  three  small  mon- 
keys called  by  the  names  of  princesses,  to  which  the 
passer  was  attracted  by  flaming  pictures,  and  a  Dutch 
street  band  playing  from  behind  a  screen  ptiinted 
with  wonderful  scenes  of  fairyland.  To  make  up  for 
the  paucity  of  the  exhibit  a  private  room  was  in  the 
rear,  where  greenhorns  were  introduced  to  a  profess- 
or with  a  high  sounding  title,  who  manipulated  their 
bumps  with  many  extravagant  words  ending  with  a 
pompous  demand  for,  'One  dollar,  sir  !'  met  with  a 
quarrel  and  an  offer  to  settle  for  fifty  cents.  At  the 
door  a  greenhorn,  who  stood  gaping  at  the  advertised 
wonders,  was  being  relieved  of  his  watch  by  an  ex- 
pert; the  proprietor  sliook  his  head  at  the  thief  but 
dared  not  speak,  for  this  gentleman  was  one  of.  a 
dangerous  gang.     So  confident  was  the   thief  in  the 


'THE  BROTHER. 


»57 


men,  who 

ry  articles, 
iss  looking 
oldiers  » m- 
street  k'^Is 
them  what 
»efore  leav- 
origine,  or 
ssissippi  or 
:s  rendered 
ct  was  en- 
i  brilliancy 
bra  trifle; 
ather  man, 

exhibition 
imall  mon- 
which  the 
tid  a  Dutch 
en  ptiinted 
ake  up  for 
^as  in  the 
»  a  profess- 
lated  their 
ling  with  a 
net  with  a 
.  At  the 
advertised 
)y  an  ex- 
e  thief  but 

one   of,  a 
hief  in  the 


case  and  success  of  this  operation  that  he  did  not 
discover  that  by  a  more  skillful  l-.ief  his  own  watch 
was  abstracted  at  the  same  moment 

"A  group  of  men  were  standing  in  front  of  a  res- 
taurant; these  were  part  of  the  gang  tailed  Whyos, 
whose  numbers  and  boldness  make  them  dreaded 
throughout  the  city.  Their  peculiar  virtues  consist 
of  ability  to  obtain  food,  drink,  and  lodging  without 
paying  for  it.  One  of  these  had  entered  this  restaurant 
where  he  regaled  himself  with  the  best  the  lardtr 
afforded,  enjoyed  the  attention  of  the  waiter,  picked 
his  teeth  pompously,  and  throwing  down  bis  check  to 
the  clerk  requested  him  to  'hang  that  up.'  The  clerk, 
a  rather  small  man,  happened  to  be  a  pugilist,  vault- 
ing over  the  counter,  he  closed  the  door  and  proceeded 
to  get  his  moneys  worth  out  of  the  Whyo  by  giving 
him  a  thrashing  that  the  bold  ruffian,  unable  to  re- 
sist, finally  begged  for  mercy,  when  the  door  was 
opened  and  the  Whyo  was  sent  reeling  into  his  own 
crowd,  who,  intimidated  by  their  chief's  defeat,  did 
not  attempt  to  raid  the  house. 

"The  vast  concourse  of  human  beings  rolls  on  like 
the  wave  losing  its  form  and  disappearing  beforeyour 
eyes;  lik>e  the  sea  of  humanity,  it  is  the  same  water 
before  you,  levelling,  changing,  followed  by  another 
roll  of  a  newly  formed  wave  which  yon  carefully  but 
vainly  watch  to  see  whither  it  is  spent,  and  before  it 
has  gone,  another  mighty  wave  is  upon  your  vision 
following  to  the  same  eternal  sea.  Here  and  there 
unsubmerged  fragments  of  the  wreck  of  human  lives 
are  seen  for  a  moment  as   they   rapidly    pass,    to  be 


^ 


fl 


•mm, 


iiiMiiiy<i<i»pptiriiiii|iirjiiii#iiW*,wt>iWiy'|t»«- 


"THE  BROTtlKR." 


I*- 


J^ 


V^ 


f  \ 


V 


f  ■ 

1  , 


.i' 


followed  by  others  who,  by  some  str;i  nge  accidents 
survive  awhile  upon  the  surface,  like  the  air  bubble 
in  the  midst  of  a  howling  tempest.  \  hich  the  rapid 
thought  can  single  out  for  a  moment.  One  a  hatless, 
tattered,  young  woman,  is  passing,  her  straggling, 
unkempt,  rich  brown  hair  survives  as  the  only  orna- 
ment to  frame  the  haggard  features  once  highly  and 
intellectually  beautiful.  The  large,  open,  well  formed 
eyes,  gaze  forth  with  a  vacant  stare.  Beauty's  attrac- 
tion has  brought  the  revels  thick  and  fast,  soon  fasten- 
ing the  serpent  fang  of  alcoholic  thirst.  She  stops 
and  vacantly  gazes  awhile  upon  a  candy  stand,  then 
passes  on  without  purchasing  and  disappears  on  the 
passing  wave. 

"The  Pawnbrokers  were  thick  in  this  neighborhood 
and  business  was  brisk;  the  characters  who  passed  in 
and  out  were  various,  and  the  variety  of  goods  receiv- 
ed in  these  magazines  of  curiosity,  was  as  strange  as 
the  characters  who  deposited  tl.cT.  Poor  women 
pledging  a  flat  iron,  or  a  pair  of  worn  shoes,  to  ob- 
tain a  small  sum  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger. 
Crooks  and  pick-pockets  leaving,  unredeemed,  a 
watch  or  jewel,  surreptitiously  borrowed  frcm  seme 
other  more  wealthy  rogue,  whose  operations  are  on 
change,  banking,  or  merchandising.  Many  were 
well  dressed,  borrowing-  to  relieve  temporary  embar- 
rassment; others  pledging  the  last  possession  for  the 
last  morsel  of  food  betwe'jn  them  and  death,  that,   in 

few  hours  or  days,  will  bring,  in  some  pestilential 
hovel,  or  in  the  dark  river  that  flows  with  rippling 
sound  b/  the  sides  of  the  grand  navy   of  commerce. 


1*  , 


t 


'^* 


"THE  BROTHEK. 


"59 


ngc  accidents 
he  air  bubble 
lich  the  rapid 
One  a  hatless, 
»er  straggling, 
be  only  orna- 
ice  highly  and 
;n,  well  formed 
eauty's  attrac- 
st,  soon  fasten- 
t.  She  stops 
dy  stand,  then 
ppears  on    the 

i  neighborhood 
who  passed  in 
f  goods  receiv- 
i  as  strange  as 

Poor  women 
I  shoes,  to  ob- 
[js  of  hunger, 
inredecmed,  a 
^ed  frcm  seme 
ations  are  on 
Many  were 
porary  embar- 
jession  for  the 
death,  that,  in 
ne    pestilential 

with  rippling 
of  commerce, 


or  washes  the  ends  of  the  docki,  the  sleep  that  knows 
no  awakening.     In  the  window    were  displayed   for 
sale  a  number  of  medals;  the  inscriptions  upon  these 
gave  the  names  and  date  of  many  distinguished  per- 
sons; on  the  reverse  wer?  mottoes  in  latin    indicative 
of  some  sublime  virtue  or  deed  of  heroism.    Some  were 
struck  in  honor  of  the    prowess  of  the  pugilist;  others 
for  some  scientific,  or  scholarly,  achievement;  others 
for  honors  achieved  in  the  salon,  for  artistic    skill,    or 
on  the  rostrum,  for  oratory;  some  to  poets,   for  their 
masterpieces  of  thought;    some    for    heroism    at  the 
cannon's  mouth,  or  the  sacrifice  of  their  lives  in  their 
country's  defense;  some  were  for  moral  and  religious 
distinction;  the  Catholic  Knight  and  the  Mason  who 
had  achieved  the  thirty-third  degree,    all  for   sale  as 
unredeemed  pledges.      Advertising    here    under  the 
brilliant  electric  light,  the    submergence    of  all   dis- 
tinctions, whether  of  moral,  heroic,  scientific,  or  artistic 
virtue  in  the  great  vortex    of  want,    to   which   these 
intellectually  endowed  virtuosi   were   as  completely 
subject  by  the  unequal  struggle,  as  the  meanest  wretch 
who  grovelled  for  a  few  pence  amongst  the  fetid  gar- 
bage and  waste  of  civilization.  Culture,  honor,  virtue, 
all,  all    overshadowed   by   the    power   of  individual 
wealth,  leaving  to  society  the  delightful  treasure,  the 
survival  of  the  meanest. 

"It  was  with  pleasure  I  hailed  the  arrival  of  'The 
Brother'  for  gloomy  reflections  were  taking  possession 
of  me,  and  I  well  knew  that  one  who  begins  to  grieve 
over  the  horrors  of  the  Nineteenth  Century,  was  a 
lost  man.     Hardened  to  the  horrors,  which  he  clearly 


:■  'i 


■-■.ia^^;«fe(**wj^^e*)fiw*Ws^^»^^ 


VB 


i6o 


"THE  liROTHER. 


¥  ^ 


1  '*, '. 


saw  with  the  eye  of  the  mind,  in  their  true  hght,  his 
influence  upon  me  was  beneficial,  enabling  me  to 
suppress  to  some  degree  my  emotions;  for,  as  he  said, 
his  he^^rt  was  dead,  and  he  coldly  looked  on  society 
Sis  one  gigantic  scene  of  hypocrisy  and  injustice;  its 
victims  sharing  in  their  misery  only  the  logical  out 
come  of  legalized  crime  and  plunder. 

"The  words  of  the  preacher  at  St.  Paul's  Churvjh  on 
the  morning  of  the  centennial  of  the  inaugural  of 
Washington,  that  so  pointedly  touched  the  core  of 
our  social  disease  and  gave  such  offence  to  ihe  mag- 
nates who  keenly  appropriated  his  words  to  them- 
selves, kept  rising  in  the  mind  as  we  walked  through 
the  purlieus  of  Thompson  street  and  the  surrounding 
district.  Thousands  ot  men,  women  end  children, 
lined  the  sidewalks,  sat  upon  the  steps,  or  stood  around 
the  groggeries,  alley -ways  and  cellars;  dirt,  squalor, 
wretchedness,  rudeness,  oaths  and  vileness,  were  only 
to  be  seen  and  heard.  The  population  of  the  neigh- 
borhood at  this  evening  hour  was  in  the  street,  and 
presented  itself  in  good  shape  for  study.  Here  could 
be  seen  without  difficulty,  what  the  good  man  meant 
when  he  told  the  President  and  the  wealthy  Monopo- 
lists and  Politicians  of  the  'adulteration  of  our  National 
Manhood,'  for  here  was  the  adulteration  almost  in  its 
last  savage  stage:  Americans,  Irish,  Italians,  Hun- 
garians, Poles,  Negroes  and  the  scrapings  of  the 
world,  all  mixed  in  one  repulsive  mass,  without  thought 
of  race,  color,  distinction,  or  even  the  vaguest  con- 
ception of  decency.  The  shock  to  my  senses  was 
intense,  and  forced  the  reflection  of  the  utter   degra- 


^^;^^.- 


v^-s- 


?:4*^i:; 


"THE  BROTHER. 


i6i 


rue  hght,  his 
ibling  me  to 
"or,  as  he  said, 
:d  on  society 
injustice;  its 
logical    out 

il's  Church  on 
inaugural  of 
the  core  of 
;  to  the  mag- 
•ds  to  them- 
ilked  through 
e  surrounding 
?nd  children, 
"  stood  around 
dirt,  squalor, 
ess,  were  only 
of  the  neigh- 
e  street,  and 
Here  could 
i  man  meant 
Ithy  Monopo- 
f  our  National 
I  almost  in  its 
:aHans,  Hun- 
pings  of  the 
thout  thought 
vaguest  con- 
y  senses  was 
utter   degra- 


V 


dation  that  man  reaches  when  he  declines    from    the 
civilized  state;  a  degradation   far  beyond  that  of  the 
savage,  and  impossible  of  regeneration;    for    the    de- 
graded civilized  never  rise  again.    The  absolute  sav- 
age presents  a  nature  upon   which  a  new   civilization 
can  be  built,  and  such  is  always  the  case.      First,  hia 
superstitions  developed  into  soove  form   of  morality, 
then  the  chieftainship,  with   the    monop^'v    right   of 
land  and  property,  which  is   the   canker  worm  that 
eats  again  the  heart  of  each  new  civilization  as  it  rises. 
Upon  this  festering  mixture  of 'adulterated    national 
manhood,'  no  impression  for  good  can  ever  be   made 
inder  present  conditions.     One  has  only  to  view  the 
mi^ss  to  see  the    hopelessness   of  the    efforts  of  the 
brave   missionaries,    to    have   forced    upon   him   the 
conclusion  that  not  all  the  missionaries   in  the   world 
assisted  by  all  the  good  and  pious   men  and    women, 
could  make  the  faintest  impression  upon  this  degrad- 
ed mass  of  civilized  man,  without  his  conditions  were 
radically  changed.     The  keener  sufferings  of  the  re- 
spectable people,  in  their  struggle  to  avoid  the  slums 
and  the  repulsive  associations  of  this  jumble  of  races, 
in  a  maggoty  mass,  on  the  decaying  carcass  of  mod- 
ern civilization,    is  still    more   dreadful    and    pitiable 
than  the  ignorantly  contented   human    animals5   that 
are  growing  in    our  cities   as   fast   as  the  locusts   of 
Egypt,  or  the  Colorado  beetle;  and    that   will    crush 
the  civilization  of  the  North  by   the    weight  of  their 
•'multitudes,  as  the  increasing  millions  of  degraded  ne- 
groes, will  blot  out  the  South:    and   over   the    sacred 
soil  dedicated  to  the  hope  of  man  by   the   free  gov- 
ernment of  Wa.shington  and  Jefferson,  in  which  man's 

21 


i 
-^i^ 

^ 


'-''if'-,''--- 


162 


"THE  BROTHER." 


'!!.= 


W'^  •  ■■■■ 


':J«;, 


my 


1  ^  >i". 

■1  v.'T' 


better  nature  was  to  find  Its  highest  expansion.  A 
low  mass  of  beings  will  fester  a  while  in  beastliness, 
murder  and  superstition,  then  yield  their  place  to  the 
savage  and  wild  beast. 

"It  is  needless  to  come  to  this  sickening  sight  of 
degraded  humanity  to  seek  the  evidence  of  the  de- 
cline of  civilization;  the  mere  reflection  that  the  mon- 
opolist and  the  politician,  are  willing  to  add  even  this 
tlass  to  the  pimp,  the  brothel  keeper,  the  gambler, 
the  saloon  keeper,  the  newspcper,  the  tramp  and  the 
tough,  the  labor  ^^itator  and  the  ecc'.esiast,  to  sus- 
tain their  control  of  power,  is  :^ufficient  without  furth- 
er searcli.  When  honorable  position  is  maintained 
by  the  supposed  greatest  only  by  the  support  of  the 
Meanest,  no  further  commei  ;\ry  is  needed  on  the 
quality  of  a  civilized  state  that  has  reached  its  last 
stage  of  decline. 

"Turning  again  towards  the  Bowery,  we  stopped  a 
few  moments  on  th^.  apposite  side  of  the  street  to 
view  one  of  the  v/omen's  lodging  houses.  Poor 
women,  they  mi- st  pay  five  cents  more  than  men,  al- 
though they  eain  less,  and  have  no  free  drink  of  wood 
spirit  whiskey  poison,  in  the  morning,  as  a  prize  for 
their  patronage.  v\''ithout  the  necessary  fifteen  cents 
they  must  stay  on  the  street  and  survive  as  best  they 
can.  I  was  surprised  to  see  how  respectable  and 
well  mannered  the  inmates  were.  A  number  of  young 
women  from  sixteen  years  upward,  were  sitting  a- 
round  the  restaurant  tables  conversing  with  one  an- 
other. The  door  was  open  to  the  street  and  the 
place  was  in  full  view  of  the  not  overly  elegant  pub- 


^  6 

•i   • 


'THE  BROTHER. 


163 


jansTon.  A 
beastliness, 
place  to  the 

ig  sight  of 
;  of  the  de- 
at  the  mon- 
dd  even  this 
le  gambler, 
mp  and  the 
ast,  to  sus- 
fhont  furth- 
maintained 
)port  of  the 
:ded  on  the 
led    its  last 

ve  stopped  a 
le  street  to 
jses.  Poor 
an  men,  al- 
ink  of  wood 
a  prize  for 
fifteen  cents 
as  best  they 
ictable  and 
er  of  young 
:  sitting  a-.- 
th  one  an- 
et  and  the 
egant  pub- 


lic of  tbr    neighborhood.       At    the    upper    windows 
coui  J  be  seen  a  number  of  women   of  thirty   years  of 
age  and  upward,  who   had  evidently   returned   from 
their  daily  employment,  and  were  resting  in  this  only 
'Home,  Sweet  Home,' they  had  on    earth   until   the 
day  returned  and  the  hour  for  toil  arrived. 
.    "After  having  viewed' the    horrible    niass   further 
down  the  street,  the  sight  of  these    neat,   well  man- 
nered women  in   their  chec<p   refuge,    left   upon   the 
mind  a  warm,  sympathetic  feeling  for  their  strong  ef- 
forts to  avoid,  even  in  this  cheerless   home,  the  awful 
fate  of  their  outcast  sisters  who  passed  and  repassed 
us  in  multitudes.      A  turn  into  a  side  street   brought 
us  to  the  Florence    Mission    with    which  I  saw    'The 
Brother'  was  well  acquainted,  having  interested  him- 
self in  the  various  problems  of  social    reformation  at 
the  gatherings  ofphilanthropists  engaged  in  this  holy 
work.     Within  the  meeting    room  was  a   number   of 
desolate    looking    tramps    and     abandoned   women 
whom  these  mission  saints  had  gathered  together  by 
their  pious  influence.     Cheerful,  religious  songs  were 
sung,  in  which  all  joined,  succeeded  by  a    prayer  and 
the  experiences  of  those  wholly  or  temporarily  saved 
f  om  a  life  of  crime.     Then  followed  other  songs  lur- 
ing the  outcast  to  the  splendors  of  virtue,  the  langu- 
age adapted  to  their  vulgar   comprehensions;    as,  for 
instance: 

"  My  father  is  rich  in  silver  and  gold, 
The  wealth   of  his  love  can  ne/er  be  told. 
With  diamonds  and  rubies  and  jewels  so  rare. 
In  heaven  we'll  shine  when  we  get  there.' 


i64 


"THE  BROTflER." 


II, 


illiv 


♦'Several  young  women  rising  in  their  seats  spoke 
brightly  of  the  blessings  they  had  received  by  being 
rescued  from  a  life  of  crime  by  the  exertions  of  the 
good  people  who  devote  their  lives  to  this  benevolent 
purpose.  Men  told  the  story  of  how  these  angels 
rescued  them  from  the  demon  of  rum,  asking  assist- 
ance of  the  assembled  friends  in  prayer  to  Almighty 
God  to  preserve  them  from  che  luring  temptations 
surrounding  them  on  nve-y  sids,  from  which  it  was 
almost  impossible  to  escape.  'The  beautific  expression 
on  the  faces  of  the  good  men  and  women,  who  appear- 
ed to  be  the  leaders  in  this  holy  work,  bespoke  the 
satisfaction  they  felt  with  this  evidence  of  the  result 
of  their  labors  in  the  divine  Maste*-'-  ca'iPe,  and  the 
supreme  joy  they  experienced  in  '■  'ig  themselves 
daily,  dying  martyrs,  on  sact  ed  crosses,  to  save  a  few 
souls  from  the  maelstrom  of  social  injustice  and  per- 
dition. So  t  motional  was  this  scene  that  1  became 
visibly  affe'..ted.  The  recitals  of  the  sorrows  and  suf- 
feringb  of  the  redeemed  brought  sympathetic  tears 
streaming  down  my  cheeks  in  spite  of  every  effort  to  con- 
trol my  feelings;  forthe  whole  evening  had  been  spent 
in  viewing  and  contemplating  the  sad  fate  of  doomed 
humanity.  For  relief  we  sought  the  open  air  which 
refreshed  me  somewhat.  The  night  was  balmy;  a 
clear  sky  and  bright  stars  twinkled  merrily  over  the 
just  and  the  unjust;  no  storm  added  its  discomfort  to 
the  homeless  and  outcast,  nature  was  in  one  of  her 
loveliest  ami  most  peaceful  moods;  Venus  and  Jupi- 
ter, astrological  emblems  of  intelligence  and  love, 
shone  brightly  if    Tauruj>,  r.ear   the    constellation  of 


lijiiSiM 


!l'««ti 


'THE  BROTHCR. 


165 


eats  spoke 
l1  by  being 
tions  of  the 
benevolent 
ese  angels 
:ing  assist- 
Almighty 
:ennptations 
lich  it  was 
expression 
.'ho  appear- 
lispoke  the 
the  result 
fe,  and  the 
themselves 
i  save  a  few 
e  and  per- 
i  became 
ws  and  suf- 
hetic  tears 
rfforttocon- 
1  been  spent 
of  doomed 
n  air  which 
s  baimy;  a 
y  over  the 
scomfort  to 
ane  of  her 
I  and  Tupi- 
and  love, 
Hteilation  of 


the  Pleiades,  the  approaching  moon  about  to  embrace 
them  both;  the  twins,  the    Crab  and  the  royal    Lion, 
were  ascending,  and  Aldebaran,   Castor  and    Pollux, 
added  their  lustre  to  the    heavenly  scene,  viewing  in 
their  daily  round  the    insane   contentions,    struggles 
and  entombment  of  all  the  races    and    generations  of 
men;  the  movements  of  armies  in  the  work  of  destruc- 
tion; the  rise  and  fall  of  empires,  and  the  far  greater 
power  of  evil  and  destruction;    the    power   of  greed 
that,  over  the  entire  face  of  the  smiling  earth,  sinks, 
age  after  age,   the  generations  of  men,    into   misery 
and  death.     Oh !  in  your  bright  orbs  do  such   crimes 
appear!  or,  are  we  on  earth  the  only  existences  fated 
to  misery?      When  shall  the  desert  bloom  as  the  rose 
and  war  of  man  upon  man  be  known  no  more?  When 
shall  the  reign  of  the  divine  Master  come,    and    man 
live  in  one  common  brotherhood  from  which  shall  be 
eliminated  the  love  of  gold,  the  accursed  root   of  all 
evil? 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

A  FIFTH  AVENUE   PAKTY,  A  TENEMENT  FIRE 
AND  OONEY  MAGUIRE. 

"The  night  grew  on  apace  as  we  wandered  first  up 
oni.  street  then  down  another.  From  elegant  resi- 
dences gleamed  brilliant  lights  illuminating,  in  front 
of  them,  the  mounted  trappings  of  the  noble  steeds  in 


3 


i:'i'8'imj).!!iii.'*.e>''aiii>i»i'a«i 


11; 


166 


"TiiE  BROTHER." 


whose  veins  coursed  the  finest  strains  of  Arabian 
blood;  their  grooms  closely  watching  as  they  champ- 
ed their  foaming  bits.  Liveried  footmen  expensively 
attired  in  boots  and  tights,  were  active  in  attendance 
upon  the  arriving  guests.  Within  all  vva.s  joy  and 
pleasure;  strains  of  sweet  music  performed  by  skillful 
artists  floated  out  upon  the  balmy  air;  in  the  refined 
embrace  of  the  waltz  whirled  famous  beauties  blazing 
with  jewels  that  sparkled  on  fair  breasts,  arms  and 
necks,  amid  the  sheen  of  an  Indo-European,  multi- 
colored silks;  lovely  faces  with  languid,  dreamy  eyes, 
partted,  ruby  l;;;s  and  sn-  wy  teeth,  spoke  the  exquis- 
ite pleasure  of  iiie  scene:  odors  of  rare  flowers  were 
wafted  on  the  air  by  their  graceful  motions;  rare  paint- 
ings of  famed  artists  decorated  the  rich  walls;  art 
bronzes  of  great  value,  and  choice  ceramics,  relieved 
the  profusion  of  splendor  everywhere  visible.  Through 
an  arch  hung  with  flowers  the  festal  board  was  seen 
and  here  again  all  was  loveliness.  Rare  china  of 
graceful  form  and  decoration  from  Sevres,  royal  Wor- 
cester, Berlin  and  Limoges,  covered  with  viands  pre- 
pared by  artistic  cooks;  baccarat  cut  glass  and  rare 
wines  of  lucious  flavor,  cooling  fruits  from  the  tropics 
invitingly  arranged  on  comports,  enamelled  in  green, 
brown,  gold  and  b  ;c,  relieved  with  flowers  trimmed 
low  upon  showy  linnen  invited  the  appetites  of  the 
guests  to  the  perfection  of  luxury.  Softdivansartistically 
embellished  wit*  old  gold  and  rcne  ble#(ded  in  a  con- 
fu.sion  of  ornament,  rested  the  stately  dames  and  el- 
ders, who  converged  9mtmly  md  gracefully,  in  cult- 
ured language-,  upon  c^tewad!   themes.      The   life  of 


"THE  BROTHER. 


167 


of  Arabian 
;hey  champ- 
expensively 

attendance 
vas  joy  and 
i  by  skillful 
1  the  refined 
ities  blazing 
,  arms  and 
ean,  rhulti- 
reamy  eyes, 
the  exquis- 
lowers  were 
;  rare  paint- 
walls;  art 
ics,  relieved 
le.  Through 
rd  was  seen 
ire    china  of 

royal  Wor- 
viands  pre- 
s    and    rare 

the  tropics 
ed  in  green, 
irs  trimmed 
ites  of  the 
s  artistically 
ed  in  a  con- 
ies and  el- 
ly,  in  cult- 
The   life  of 


' 


the  halls  was  a  picture  worthy  cf  reproduction  by  a 
Fortune,  or  a  Madrazzo.    Carefully  studied  and  elab- 
orately executed  architecture   delighted    the  eye    by 
its  well  conceived  and  arranged  species,  the    propor- 
tions of  its  parts,  the  color,  effect  and    design,   of  its 
members  and  ornaments.    Decorative  bronzes  group- 
ed the  easy  stair-way   and    landings.      Windows   of 
artistic  glass  blended  their  harmonies  of  color,   their 
irregular  surfaces  sparkling  like  dew  drops  on  flowers 
as  they  reflected  the  dazzling  electric    light,    or,   the 
transmitted  moonlight  from  a  cloudless  sky  that  fail- 
ed to  rival  the  artificial  splendor  within.      Lovers  el- 
egantly posed  upon  the  stairs;    the    blush   and    smile 
played  upon  fair  faces  as   tender   words   were  lowly 
spoken,  or  whispered,  into  willing  ears.      In  the  un- 
conscionable moment  of  happiness,  natural  grace  dis- 
played her  perfection  in  the  free  moveme«;C  of  figure, 
arms  and  head;  facial  expression  freed  by  ti*e  j^  <^ 
h.  ;)py  hearts  rivalled  the  choicest  dreams   of  ai'tis^ 
thought.    The  strain  and  crush  of  life  was  not  visible 
here;  even  the  stony  features  of  the  brokers  and  kings 
of  change  relaxed  to  human  form  and   expression  as 
the  corpse  of  the  soul  was  galvanized  into  a  little  life 
by  the   splendor    and    happiness   of  the  enchanting 
scene. 

"  Descending  the  easy  flight  of  carved  steps  that 
led  to  the  wide  avenue,  the  sUange  effect  of  the  moon- 
light attracted  us  to  the  lovely  panorama  of  the  dark 
blue  vault  of  the  heavens  overhead,  whose  breadth 
and  vastness,  studded  -vith  worlds,  doubtless  peopled 
with  myriads   of  other   existences,   carried   out  the 


smm 


168 


'•THE  BROTHER." 


1;  «'' 


Si" 
if- 

r 


f 

.1    4 
i' 

I 


•   < 


mind  to  bright  and  beautiful  Nature,  who  speaks  to 
all  her  children  with  one  voice  and  greets  them  with 
an  universal  smile.  On  the  broad,  smooth  pavement 
were  a  number  of  professionals  whose  artistic  em- 
ployment consisted  in  giving  evening  exercise  to 
that  large  and  favored  portion  of  society,  the  aristo- 
cratic canine,  that  was  led  by  silver  chains,  or,  em- 
bossed leathern  straps  attached  to  engraved  or  jew- 
eled collars.  These  favorites  of  fortune  trotted  the 
polished  streets,  and  sniffed  around  the  balustrades 
that  protected  the  palaces  from  too  near  approach  of 
the  vulgar.  The  toy  pug  with  saucy,  belligerent  face, 
the  picturesque  and  snappy  akye  terrier  whose  long, 
carefully  brushed  silken  hair  rivalled  the  tresses  of 
children,  the  pretty,  long-eared  spaniel,  who  for  cen- 
turies has  enjoyed  the  luxuries  of  wealth,  and  the  in- 
telligent St.  Bernard  who,  in  the  soft  caresses  of  the 
various  Omphalis,  has  lost  the  virtues  and  heroi.'m 
of  hi»  Alpine  brothers  and  retains  only  his  personal 
beauty.  These  darlings  on  return  to  their  palatial 
homes  would  have  their  dainty  feet  washed  with  per- 
fumed soap,  dried  on  soft,  white  linnen  towels,  and 
put  to  slumber  sweetly  upon  downy  beds  embellished 
with  lace  and  covered  with  choice  fabricH  ornament- 
ed with  embroidery  deftly  workf)  by  fair  hands.  A 
tall,  respectable,  but  seedy  looking,  man  approached 
one  of  these  interesting  professionals  and  asked  ff>f 
assistance.  From  the  conversation  that  ensued  it 
was  evideiit  that  they  were  acquainted.  Want  of 
work  and  bread  for  the  dear  ones  had  brought  him, 
^  at  that  late  hour,  to  watch  for  his  friend  who,  through 


Mill    iiiiMiiia 


mm 


"THE  BROTHER. 


169 


>  speaks  to 
them  with 
\\  pavement 
irtistic    em- 
exercise  to 
the  aristo- 
ns,  or,  em- 
ed  or  jew- 
trotted  the 
balustrades 
pproach    of 
gerent  face, 
vhose  long, 
tresses    of 
'ho  for  cen- 
and  the  in- 
esses  of  the 
nid    heroism 
lis  personal 
eir    palatial 
:d  with  per- 
owels,   and 
;mbellished 
ornament- 
hands.     A 
approached 
I   asked    (tif 
I    ppsued    it 
Want  of 
ought   him, 
ho,  through 


the    care    of    the  aristocratic   canines   and  a  warm 
place  in  Bridget's  heart,  had  obtained    the    fortunate 
position  of  occasional  close  proximity  to   the  choice 
crumbs  that  fell  from  the  tables  oftheir  wealthy  owners. 
"The  fire  alarm  was    sounded,    and    instantly    the 
splendidly  trained  horses  at  furious  speed  came  rush- 
ing by,  plunging   and    leaping    with    the   heavy   fire 
machines  from  which  the  sparks  flew  like  a  stream  of 
shooting  stars.     Another  and  another    passed;    then 
whirled  the  hook  and  ladder  round  the  street   corner; 
the  rattle  of  the  wheels  and  the  clang   of  the  alarm 
gongs  changing  the  stillness  of  the  night  to   the   din 
of  rush  and    terror.       Away  they   sped,    the   skilled 
drivers  lifting  the  plunging  horses  with  the  reins   at 
cdcb  successive  leap.     The  alarm  increased;  in  other 
streets  we  could  hear  the  rush  and  clash  of  the  mailed 
hoofs,  and  rattle  of  the  wheels.     Evidently  there  was 
a  general  alarm  and  serious  W(  rk  was  before  the  heroes 
of  the  fire  department,  whose  brave  hearts  and  strong 
arms  would  require  their  noblest  efforts  that  night  to 
sav  '  ;»ge,  beauty,  helple.«is  innocence,  or  property,  from 
the  devouring  elements.     poUo  .'livg  the  sounds,  a  few 
blocks  brought  us  to  the  exciting  sceac.  ThedvveUings 
in  the  neighborhood    had   emptied    their    multitudes 
into  the  streets.     A  panic  had  seized  upon  all,    for  a 
row  of  densely  populated  tenements  were  ablaze;  the 
wild  flames  leaped  joyously  from  room  to   room    and 
from  house  to  house,  as  though  it  greedily  luxuriated 
ill  the  fiendish  work  of  destruction.     The  .ictive   fire- 
men were  asBiating  the  aged  and  helpless  sicjc,  or  the 
bewildered  women  and  children,  to  the    fire   escapes, 

J2 


M 


ISBi 


laiiliwr 


170 


THE  BROTHER." 


m  ■ 

I  ♦ . 

If    r 
*    1  - 


or  to  avoid  the  leaping  tongues  of  fire  that  threatened 
to  engulph  both  saviour  and  saved  every  moment. 
The  wonderful  ladders  were  shot  into  the  air,  section 
after  section,  reaching  windows  where  the  surround- 
ing fires  had  entrapped  the  unfortunate  inmates,  who 
were  lowered  in  canvas;,  bags  with  the  speed  of  light- 
ning by  the  firemen  whose  tirelees  energies  wer«  bent 
to  the  utmost  to  avail  themselves  of  the  few  moments 
left  before  the  flames  should  engulpl  the  whole  block 
and  swallow  the  helpless  victims.  A  handsome  young 
woman  sped  from  floor  to  floor  by  the  fire  escapes, 
every  moment  or  two  dragging  some  helpless  child  or 
aged  person  to  these  dangerous  but  only  avenues  of 
safety;  cheer  after  cheer  went  up  from  the  crowd 
below  as  her  marvelous  efibrts  were  attended  with 
success.  Against  all  remonstrations  she  refused  to 
descend,  until  a  last  search  in  the  suffocating  smoke 
satisfied  her  that  none  were  left  within  reach;  with  the 
agility  of  a  at  she  descended  the  fire  escape  when 
the  roof  fell  in,  the  flying  cinders  burning  her  beautiful 
hair,  naked  arms  and  shoulders,  as  she  fainting  fell 
into  the  heroic  arms  of  "The  Brother."  Sympathetic 
arm.s  bore  her  to  a  place  of  safety  through  crowds  of 
desolated  people,  whose  admiration  for  this  sublime 
heroism  obliterated,  for  the  moment,  their  woes  and 
found  expression  in  choking  sighs  and  tears,  as  her 
sweet  form  and  pallid  face  illuminated  by  the  awful 
flame;',,  was  carried  by  them.  Rough  hands  spread 
with  tender  care  a  bed  upon  the  floor  of  a  neighbor 
tenement,  where  her  aged  mother,  saved  from  the  de- 
vouring element  a   moment   before,    had    also    been 


*  pi*jrei»JWj*s*>-«- 


;'tH'SK«««<t'>'-  - 


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msi 


••THE  BROTHER. 


171 


it  threatened 
ry  moment. 
e  air,  section 
le  surrouncl- 
nmate.s,  who 
seed  of  light- 
ies  were  bent 
Few  moments 
whole  block 
isome  young 
ire  escapes, 
jles.s  child  or 
'  avenues  of 
1  the  crowd 
tended  with 
:  refused  to 
iting  smoke 
ich;  with  the 
scape  when 
her  beautiful 
fainting  fell 
Sympathetic 
h  crowds  of 
:his  sublime 
r  woes  and 
;ars,  as  her 
/  the  aw  ful 
mds  spread 
a  neighbor 
from  the  de- 
1    also   been 


taken  as  a  place  of  safety,  who,  believing  that  her 
only  support  on  earth  vasdeud,  bewailed  her  child 
with  piteous  moans.  For  a  moment  the  strong  men 
stood  viewing  the  despair  uf  this  blasted,  aged  wreck 
as  she  bowed  her  palsied  head  over  the  appart  utly 
lifeless  body  anu  stroked  with  bony,  withered  hands, 
the  fair  face  and  silken  trt  sseB  of  the  sweet  beauty  who 
once  nursed  her  breasts,  and  babbled  with  dimpled 
mouth  the  holy  name  of  mother.  The  men  turned 
away  as  though  called  to  thoir  duty  slyly  wiping  from 
weather  bronzed  cheeks,  unwilling  tears. 

"The  destruction  of  the  fire  was  complete.  The 
poor  furniture  and  clothing  toilsomely  gathered  by 
these  people  were  gone;  many  without  a  garment 
were  covered  with  the  spare  fags  of  svmpathetic  neigh- 
bors, and  sheltered  in  their  a  Iready  overcrowded  rooms 
and  hallways.  What  t  ey  were  to  do  on  the  morrow 
was  not  yet  a  question,  for  all  were  absorbed  in  the 
griefof  the  present.  The  ambulances  had  carried 
awiiy  all  the  burnt  and  wounded  that  could  be  found. 
In  some  of  the  tenements  where  the  people  lived, 
cooked  their  food  and  slept  in  the  same  room  with 
their  dead  and  newly  born,  a  few  persons  in  both  these 
states  of  ertrance  to  and  departure  from  the  turmoil 
and  strife  of  existence,  found  their  tombs  in  cremated 
bodies  that  mercifully  saved  to  the  living  the  expense 
of  burial.  Without  tht  firemen  vainly  fought  the  flames 
and  people  wildly  ran  from  place  to  place  seeking 
those  who  never  more  would  share  their  sorrows. 
The  horrors  of  the  tenement  with  its  ever  present 
spectre  of  cholera  and  death,  or  the  blissful  happiness 


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'T«E  BROTHER.' 


1'. 


i 


«  c  - 


"i. 


■!f 


of  the  Avenue  splendors  where  balmy  odors  invited 
the  weary  revellers  to  downy  repose,  no  longer 
troubled  thena.  In  the  last  sleep  all  are  equal.  Luxury 
or  rags,  feast  or  famine,  joy  or  misery,  culture  or 
ignorance,  pride  or  modesty,  ambition,  power,  greed,^ 
selfishness  and  cruelty,  all  find  their  level  in  the  last 
eternal  sleep.  No  social  disparity  afflicts  this  final 
state;  here  the  forces  of  production  belong  not  to  the 
privileged  few.  The  land,  that  belongs  in  usufruct  to 
all  the  children  of  men,  yields  here  no  rent  to  the 
monopolist.  Gold  cannot  recall  the  fleeted  spirit, 
hypocrisy  or  flattery  soothe  the  dull,  cold  ear  of 
death.  The  fire  was  at  last  controlled.  In  a  group 
nearby  angry  words  were  passed  between  the  oflUcers 
of  the  private  institution  of  the  insurance  companies, 
called  the  fire  patrol,  and  some  of  the  tenants  of  the 
destroyed  houses.  The  prominent  actor  in  the  scene 
was  'The  Brother,'  who  had  cuntWngly  instructed  the 
tenants  to  reply  to  the  questions  of  the  fire  patrol  that 
they  were  insured;  by  this  artful  means  goods  had 
been  blanketted  and  saved  that  had  no  insurance, 
much  to  the  gratification  of  the  owners  and  to  the 
chagrin  of  the  insurance  men  who  had  exerted  them- 
selves for  no  benefit  to  their  companies,  in  answer 
to  their  upbraldings  ' The  Brother'  artfully  replied, 
that  he  certainly  was  insured;  the  furniture  dealer  from 
whom  he  had  bought  his  things  on  installment  charg- 
ing also  insurance,  and  the  other  tenants  were  in  the 
same  position.  This  sophistry  did  not  satisfy  the  fire 
patrol  who  abandoned  the  discussion  with  the  angry 
jeers  of  the  bystanders  and  tenants. 


WMHM^ 


'THE  BROTHER. 


m 


jdors  invited 
2,  no  longer 
qual.  Luxury 
y,  culture  or 
•ower,  greedy 
tl  in  the  last 
:ts  this  final 
njj  not  to  the 
in  usufruct  to 
rent  to  the 
leeted    spirit, 

cold  ear   of 

In  a  group 
n  the  officers 
e  companies, 
:nants  of  the 
•  in  the  scene 
nstructed  the 
re  patrol  that 

goods   had 

o   insurance. 

and    to   the 

xerted  thcm- 

in  answer 
iilly  replied, 
e  dealer  from 
Iment  charg- 
were  in  the 
atisfy  the  fire 
h  the  angry 


"This  principle  of  protection  of  private  property  by 
private  effort  in  insurance,  could  be  carried  out  by  the 
public  in  ?;ll  matters  that  concern  life  and  provision. 
In  learning,  industrial  education,  and  social  justice, 
by  which  the  blankets  could  be  thrown  to  protect 
from  the.  flames  of  despair  the  bodies  and  souls  of 
men.  From  'The  Brother'  I  learned  the  history  and 
sad  condition  of  many  of  the  neighbors.  Mills  and 
factories  having  shut  down  since  the  election  of  the 
protectionist  President,  work  was  scarce  and  some 
were  homeless  and  beggared;  others  had  been  out  of 
work  suffering  for  a  long  time  before  this  additional 
affliction.  Some  were  ill  with  fevers  or  rheumatism. 
One  woman  in  child  bed  had  been  lost;  aged  left 
without  support,  and  helpless  children  without  parents; 
all  hopeless,  helpless,  dependent  on  their  single- 
handed  individual  efforts  in  the  struggle  against  the 
impenetrable  barriers  of  a  monopolized  world,  where 
no  spot  exists  that  they  could  freely  occupy,  where 
no  opportunity  was  open  by  which  they  could  h  5pe 
to  profit.  To  bend  their  backs  under  a  weary  load, 
when  such  boon  can  be  occasionally  sent  by  heaveij, 
is  their  only  chance  to  gain  the  pittance  that  will 
bring  the  coarse,  adulterated  food,  or  afford  the  hovel, 
or  poor  clothing  that  shelters  them  from  the  winters 
blast. 

"The  heroic  beauty  had  revived  and  was  affection- 
ately stroking  the  whi^e  hair  of  her  aged  mother, 
cares;iing  and  consoling  the  almost  wre  ;ked  mind 
with  happy  prospects  of  future  comfort,  which,  to- 
gether with  the  joy  of  her  restored  daughter,  gradually 


fassft^aiGi^tUBNi.vlK^-"'  "■ 


^.  iil|"»liWJIii|,l.ilJll![iJlfJll]l|il..l)l 


74 


"THE  BROTHER. 


soothed  the  old  mother  into  quiet  sleep.  Oony,  as 
she  was  called,  'the  beauty,'  had  figured  as  the 
Goddess  of  Liberty  in  the  centennial  civic  parade,  and 
was  one  of  the  distinguished,  hired  persons  who  per- 
sonified the  numerous  symbols  and  attributes  of  States, 
Heroes,  Nymphs;  Washington's  Jefferson's  Franklin's, 
and  the  glorious  Fathers  of  the  Republic,  on  the 
numberless  floats  in  the  gay  procession,  and  who.se 
name,  pedigree  and  social  standing,  sti-diously 
avoided,  did  not  appear  in  the  glowing  accounts  of 
the  splendid  pageant  published  in  the  daily  papers 
on  the  following  day.  These  were  not  included  with 
the  pomp  of  military  celebrities,  or  the  select  four 
hundred  whose  manners  oo  shocked  society  at  the 
Iiigh  priced  ball  and  supper.  Oh  no,  Ooney  had  re- 
ceived her  small  pay  for  pe  onifying  the  highest 
glory  of  her  country,  purchasing  on  her  way  to  the 
now  obliterated  home  some  comforts  for  her  aged 
mother,  and  then  obliged,  for  tomorrow's  provision, 
to  secretly  take  to  the  streets  for  the  cash  of  the  rake 
to  supply  her  mother's  nee  1,  the  only  means,  scarci- 
ty of  poorly  paid  work  and  her  sex's  disadvantage, 
offered  her." 

Ccwnus  had  quietly  moved  to  the  side  of  the  histo- 
rian who  began  to  give  signs  of  breaking  down  under 
the  choking  emotions  excited  in  him  by  the  almost 
photographic  character  of  the  sad  pictures  of  social 
life  in  the  Nineteenth  century,  that  flew  from  under 
his  uncontrollable  pen.  Blinding  tears  streamed 
down  his  face  which  Comus  wiped  away  with  the 
skirt  of  his  red  cloak.      The  sighs,  labored  breathing 


"THE  BROTHER. 


175 


Oony,  as 
ured  as  the 
:  parade,  and 
ns  who  pcr- 
tes  of  States, 
's  Franklin's, 
alic,    on    the 

and    whose 

stL'diously 

accounts  of 

laily    papers 

icluded  with 

select  four 
ciety  at  the 
)ney  had  re~ 
the  highest 
way  to  the 
•r  her  aged 
s  provision, 
h  of  the  rake 
eans,  scarci- 
isadvantage, 

f  the  histo- 
down  under 
the  almost 
•es  of  social 
from  under 
rs  streamed 
ly  with  the 
:d  breathing 


and  slight  groans,  occasionally  escaping  from  the 
breast  of  the  historian,  seemed  somewhat  to  disturb 
the  calmness  of  the  spirit  of  Edward  Pureheart  so 
that  it  changed  position  burying  its  face  in  both  hands. 
The  encircling  halo  of  sacred  light  flickered  as  though 
troubled  by  sound,  but  by  the  powerful  effort  of  Co- 
mus'  psychic  fr.-oe,  it  gradually  assumed  a  clear, 
steady  flame,  and  the  story  went  on  as  follows: 


iti'i  rr^'il 


CHAPTER   XIV. 


,'i';s,,7A;--»i4,*': 


FIFTH  AVENUE  SWELLS,  A  SALOON  KEEPER  S 
DAUGHTER,  SALOONS  AND  PROHIBITION. 

"StanJing  on  Fifth  Avenue  observing  the  elegant 
promenaders  who,  in  the  late  afternoon,  were  taking 
their  constitutional  walk,  and  instituting  mental  com- 
parisons between  these  favorites  of  the  blind  goddess 
of  Fortune,  and  their  brothers  and  sisters  whom  that 
fickle  deity  had  so  indifferently  passed  by,  I  observed 
an  artist  friend  and  his  wife,  whom  I  had  not  seen 
for  years.  approachir>g  me  and  gesticulating  in  earn- 
est conversation.  Evidently  some  misfortune  had 
happened  that  caused  them  so  much  concern.  I  learn- 
ed that  they  had  visited  the  city  for  the  sole  purpose 
of  viewing  the  progress  of  American  art  after  all 
these  years,  and  having  found  themselves  in  the 
presence  of  an  exhibition  of  wooly  landscapes,  vague, 
impressionist  pictures;  bad  imitations  of  bad    French 


-4)|M 


.  ',■'>' 


176 


"THE  BROTHER. 


color,  goddesses  and  nyrnphs  painted  from  models 
of  common,  badly  drawn,  ugly  women,  posed  like 
animals,  and  the  entire  art  devoid  of  art  idea,  it  made 
them  both  angry.  The  prize  exhibit  of  art,  they 
claimed,  was  an  insult  to  the  public.  Warm  express- 
ions of  old  friendship  could  not  relieve  their  indigna- 
tion, and  I  saw  them  still  excitedly  gesticulating  as 
they  were  lost  to  view  in  the  elegantly  attired  crowd 
of  afternoon  promcnaders.  Poor,  innocent,  old  friends, 
little  do  you  dream  of  the  cause  of  art  decline!  It 
only  shares  the  fate  of  industry  and  the  flower  can- 
not bloom  without  the  root  and  stem. 

"Driving  recklessly  through  the  crowd  of  fine,  or- 
derly equipages  on  the  Avenue  sat  two  strong,  tough 
looking  men  on  a  huckster  wagon,  evidently  return- 
ing from  the  day's  peddling  of  vegetables  in  the  poor- 
er districts  of  the  city.  A  messenger  boy  was  sitting 
undisturbed  at  the  back,  having  jumped  a  ride  to  save 
his  weary  iegs  from  the  long  hours  of  walking  and 
running,  along  the  stony  and  treeless  streets,  with 
the  telegrams  of  society,  or  business  engagements. 
The  moving  mass  of  promenaders  composed  of  ex- 
tremely dressed  women  and  weak  swells,  who  could 
scarcely  stand  up  were  it  not  for  the  choice  nourish- 
ment, baths  and  luxuries,  at  their  command;  many 
with  the  dude  stoop  carrying  their  canes  by  the  mid- 
dle which  they  swung  with  a  peculiar  twist  of  the 
wrist,  similar  to  the  movements  requ'lred  in  using  a 
violin  bow;  some  leading  toy  dogs,  pugs,  blood- 
hounds, or  St.  Bernards,  the  keep  of  which  would  af- 
ford a  revenue  to  support   the    redeemed   drunkards 


"THE  HkO'lIIER. 


17; 


from  moc'els 
,  posed  like 
idea,  it  made 
of  art,  they 
irm  express- 
lieir  indigna- 
iticulating  as 
ttired  crowd 
t,  old  friends, 
decline!  It 
flower   can- 

d  of  fine,  or- 
trong,  tough 
:ntly  return- 
s  in  the  poor- 
y  was  sitting 
a  ride  to  save 
walking  and 
streets,  with 
ngagements. 
osed  of  ex- 
I,  who  could 
oice  nourish- 
mand;  many 
by  the  mid- 
twist  of  the 
I  in  using  a 
pugs,  blood- 
!ch  would  af- 
d   drunkards 


and  girls  of  the  Florence  Mission,  had  furnished  great 
amusement  to  these  two  strong  toughs  and  start  :d 
them  laughing  violently.  For  tht;  moment  they  for- 
got the  feeling  of  social  disparity  that  made  them  de- 
spise these  howling  swells,  the  absurdity  of  the  scene 
throwing  them  into  the  greatest  merriment  and  en- 
dangering by  theis  reckless  driving  the  fine  polish  on 
the  wheels  of  the  elegant  carriages.  A  tall,  lank, 
long  backed,  young  woman,  with  a  stride  as  though 
she  were  used  i-o  wading  through  grass,  passed  along 
in  the  throng  of  promenaders;  her  dress  was  of  gob- 
elin blue  trimmed  with  old  rose  color;  the  trimming 
of  old  rose  was  sharply  V  shaped  to  the  small  of  her 
waist;  an  immense  black  laced  hat,  profusely  adorn- 
ed with  flowers,  decorated  the  hard,  coarse  features 
of  this  daughter  of  a  wealthy  saloon  keeper,  in  one 
of  the  most  vicious  districts  of  the  city.  Her  elegant 
attire,  made  by  the  best  artist  modists  of  Fifth  Avenue, 
seemed  ill  assorted  to  the  uncultured  being  whom  it 
adorned;  still  her  standard,  as  measured  by  dollars, 
was  superior  to  many  who  promenaded  with  her  in 
the  great  swim  of  Fifth  Avenue:  d  pleasure  to  which 
the  growing  wealthy,  throughout  the  great  Republic, 
aspire  as  the  sum  of  happiness  to  be  achieved,  irtferi- 
or  only  to  a  residenc«  in  close  proximity  to  a  million- 
aire Stewart,  or  Vanderbilt,  with  a  coat  of  arms  on 
the  carriage,  liveried  servants  in  tan  colored  leggings, 
snow  white  knee  breeches,  gilt  buttons,  cocked  hat 
and  coats  of  livery  green;  costly  fur  robes  and  carri- 
age furniture,  all  made  in  Loi>don  or  Paris  by  the 
various  makers  to  their  Royal    Highnesses,   and    by 

23 


w 


mmtmm 


!78 


'THE  BROTHER." 


what  is  called  foreign  pai^per  labor.  The  dollars  of 
our  lady  promenader,  or  rather,  her  father's  dollars, 
were  many  and  gave  a  power  and  pride  that  over- 
shadowed the  aeedy  condition  of  those  who  chose 
the  phantom  of  knowledge  or  aesthetic  taste.  Scholars 
vainly,  scornfully  smile  with  down  cast  eyes  as  they 
pass  her  by.  Shallow  envy  chatters  and  laughs  with 
malignant  hate,  but  all  give  way  to  the  mighty  pow- 
er of  mammon,  however  coarse.  These  dollars  were 
carefully  gathered,  in  small  amounts,  from  the  five 
cent  glass  of  beer  of  the  poor  man  as  well  as  from 
the  wines  and  cigars  of  the  prodgical  spendthrift;  for 
in  the  gilded  saloon,  fitted  up  in  tasteful  luxury  with 
California,  polished  Redwood,  silver  trimmings,  tap- 
estries, beautiful  pictures  of  nymphs  and  Venuses, 
polished  marble  and  luxurious  chairs,  the  poor  man 
out  of  work  can  go  to  escape  for  an  hour  or  two  the 
filth  and  squalor  of  his  wretched  tenement,  the  sight 
of  his  crushed  and  fading  wife  into  whose  true  eyes 
he  once  looked  and  hoped  for  a  better  life  in  his 
stronger  manhood,  with  his  loved  ones'  companion- 
ship stimulating  him  to  greater  and  nobler  effort  in 
that  battle  of  life  where  he  was  taught  that  the  way 
of  success  was  fully  open  to  the  humblest.  Here  he 
finds  the  poor  man's  lyceum  where  he  is  heartily  wel- 
comed by  the  landlord;  where  he  can  read  the  papers 
or  receive  from  the  ticker  the  news  of  the  ball  games, 
prize  fights,  the  races,  the  arrival  of  ships,  accounts 
of  strikes,  or  the  escape  of  boodlers  to  Canada,  and 
have  all  the  advantages  of  wealth  in  the  news  of  the 
moment,  that  b/the  genius  of  Morse  and  Vail  assist- 


"THE  BROTHER. 


179 


le  dollars  of 
ler's  dollars, 
!  that  over- 
;  who  chose 
iste.  Scholars 
eyes  as  they 
1  laughs  with 
mighty  pow- 

dollars  were 
Tom  the  five 
veil  as  from 
endthrift;  for 
1  luxury  with 
imings,  tap- 
nd  Venuses, 
e  poor  man 
r  or  two  the 
:nt,  the  sight 
se  true  eyes 
r   life   in    his 

companion- 
ler  effort  in 
hat  the  way 
it.  Here  he 
heartily  wel- 
id  the  papers 
e  ball  games, 
ps,  accounts 
Canada,  and 
news  of  the 
i  Vail  assist- 


ed by  the  Baconian  alphabet  has  given  the  speed  of 
lightning  to  man's  thoughts.  Here  he  may  meet 
friends  who  are  seeking  a  job  for  him,  which  joyful 
news  once  obtained  strengthens  hi^  credit  with  the 
golden  father  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  promenader  in 
gobelin  blue  and  old  rose,  to  the  amount  of  fifty  cents 
to  treat  his  true  hearted  friends  to  beer,  as  some  ex- 
pression of  his  heart,  for  their  kindness  in  searching 
the  boon  to  toil,  even  for  a  poor  reward,  that  will 
maintain,  while  his  streng'th  lasts,  his  loved  wife  and 
offspring  in  their  nest  of  filth  and  disease,  somewhere 
a  little  above  the  death  line. 

"  Not  alone  is  the  vast  institution  of  the  saloon  con- 
fined to  the  relief  of  the  poor  man  in  offering  him 
luxurious  surroundings,  the  advantage  of  the  daily 
papers,  or  a  place  to  meet  Mike,  who  brings  him  the 
glad  tidings  of  a  job;  but,  in  the  wealthy  precincts  of 
Wall  street  where  the  income  of  the  bar  and  other 
emoluments  proceeding  from  accommodations  to  the 
giant  gamblers  of  that  interesting  neighborhood, 
where  the  fierceness  of  the  struggle  for  gold  reduces 
the  average  of  financial  life  to  about  ten  years,  the 
saloon  affords  an  important  medium  of  exchange, 
where  bargains  and  deals  can  be  made  and  checks 
exchanged  by  the  saloon  keeper  to  an  extent  that 
will  run  his  revenue  into  the  hundreds  of  thousands. 
Ofwhat  importance  is  the  cost  of  fine  wines,  or  choice 
cigars,  quail  on  toast,  delicacies  from  the  hot  house, 
or  the  tropics,  to  his  patrons,  in  their  immense  spec- 
ulations on  the  food  of  the  world  and  the  staples  of 
Industry,  in  the  sale  and  barter  of  the    highways   of 


/    ,1 


■4""iii"i'i'i 


180 


'THE  BROTHBR. 


if- 


n  < 


,fl 
1' 


f$ 


H  i 


1 


If 


commerce,  or  the  manipulation  of  laws*  and  enact- 
ments, or  the  total  purchase  of  all  governmental  ac- 
tion for  their  private  benefit?  But,  to  the  saloon 
keeper,  it  is  of  great  importance  and  rapidly  swells 
his  coffers;  it  is  further  the  discount  and  interest  pro- 
ceeding from  this  gambling  ;  rena,  from  the  profit  of 
the  players,  enabling  him  also  to  become  one  of 
the  giants  in  the  fierce  competition  to  appropriate 
the  developed  wealth  proceeding  from  the  vast  pro- 
ductive power  of  an  age  in  which  the  producer  ob- 
tains sufficient  1  nly  to  maintain  him  wretchedly  for 
a  few  years  to  reproduce  his  kind,  to  produce  more 
wealth  and  to  perish  at  a  shorter  and  shorter  period 
as  each  generation  becomes  more  and  more  enfee- 
bled and  degraded.       '    ir-     .n       -    pifn.".-     ,.       . 

"The  appalling  increajie  of  drunkenness  has  of  late 
years  brought  a  large  portion  of  society,  who  still 
maintain  themselves  in  a  position  of  comfort  and  re- 
spectability wherin  this  vice  is  not  required  to  bring 
forgetfulnoss  to  their  social  condition,  to  consider 
what  steps  can  be  taken  necessary  to  ameliorate,  or 
abolish,  this  species  of  crime.  Individual  effort  on 
the  part  of  pure  hearted  and  noble  minded  men  and 
women,  who  have  sacrificed  every  comfort  of  their 
own  to  this  holy  duty,  persistently  and  thoroughly, 
has  been  made,  with  comparatively  small  results;  so 
small,  indeed,  that  this  method  has  come  to  be  con- 
sidered inadequate  to  accomplish  the  desired  object, 
and  that  some  legal  steps  are  necessary  to  suppress 
it.  Hence  a  movement  of  considerable  power  exists, 
at  present,  in  every  community   for    the  prohibition 


^r^.'^ 


'THE  BROTHER. 


m 


•  and  cnact- 
nimental  ac- 

the  saloon 
pidly  swells 
interest  prn- 
the  profit  of 
ome    one   of 

appropriate 
ie  vast  prS" 
roducer  ob- 
etchedly  for 
oduce  more 
orter  period 
more    enfee- 

ss  has  of  late 
y,  who  still 
ifort  and  re- 
'ed  to    bring 

to  consider 
leliorate,  or 
al  effort  on 
ed  men  and 
fort  of  their 

thoroughly, 
1  results;  so 
i  to  be  con- 
sired  object, 

to  suppress 

)Ower  exists, 

prohibition 


of  intoxicating  drink.  In  several  districts,  and  en- 
tire states,  this  legal  plan  has  been  fairly  tried,  witn 
the  result,  according  to  the  statements  of  leading  ad- 
vocates of  the  movement,  that:  'It  must  be  confessed 
that,  wherever  it  has  been  tried,  it  has  failed  to  pre- 
vent drunkenness.'  It  appears  further  that  drunken- 
ness has  alarmingly  increased  under  restriction,  and 
where  before  a  man  would  drink  but  a  glass  of  beer 
or  whiskey,  at  a  bar,  when  restricted  he  purchased  it 
wholesale  and  kept  it  by  him  for  more  frequent  use 
than  before,  with  far  worse  results  as  regards  the  cul- 
tivatidn  of  the  alcoholic  habit.  An  addition  to  the 
evil  of  the  use  of  alcoholic  liquors  to  the  point  of 
drunkenness,  is  th^t  of  the  forced  introductk>n  of 
wood  spirit  into  the  market  by  placing  high  duties  on 
alcohol  for  revenue,  or  tariff  purposes.  Wood  spirit 
will  cut  gums  or  other  substar.'-es  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  alcohol,  and  can  replace  it  for  use  in  the  arts; 
it  costs  more  to  manufacture,  but  having'  a  liynt  duty, 
it  replaces  alcohol  which,  having  a  higher  duty,  costs 
more  per  gallon.  Wood  spirit  is  injuiious  to  the 
health  of  workmen,  causing  disease  about  the  hair 
and  eyebrows  compelling  them  frequently  to  abandon 
their  work,  for  a  time,  until  they  recover;  it  has  also 
been  introduced  as  a  beverage  on  account  of  its 
cheapness  through  the  high  duties  on  alcohol,  and  is 
preferred  by  coarse  drunkards  on  account  of  its  high- 
er drunk  producing  power.  One  of  the  most  import- 
ant dealers  in  spirits  in  the  United  States  informed 
me,  that  train  loads  of  whiskey  are  distributed  to  the 
Southern  plantation  stores,  that  contain  not  one  drop 


inii  'ifciiiwiWif WipfWiyiiifi^Sf" 


.>3i!«^f^3^- 


*W^ 


•'THE  BROTHER." 


il. 

i'   t 


I.-  i:' 


of  alcohol  from  rye  or  corn;  and  that  they  are  deadly 
poison.  The  same  holds  good  with  the  liquors  sold 
to  the  masses  in  all  our  largo  cities.  Any  style  of 
spirituous  liquor  is  formed  from  wood  spirit  and  pass- 
ed over  the  bar  to  the  ignorant  and  unsuspecting,  or 
indifferent  purchaser. 

"In  all  foods  or  drinks  furnisheJ  to  the  public  there 
is  practically  no   protection    against    the  science    of 
adulteration  and  misrepresentatio;;.      Laws  seem  to 
be  enacted  only  by  which  individuals  or  combinations 
of  individuals  can  be  protected  in  robbing  the  unpro- 
tected, who  stupidly  and  blindly  elevate  and  worship 
those  to  whom  they  give  these    privileges.      So  suc- 
cessful is  this  meti.od  to  attain  wealth  by  legal    rob- 
bery, that   the    entire   intellect  of  the      .  .intry   has 
devoted  itself  to  pushing  to  the  front  rank  of  *  practi- 
cal politics'  for  this   purpose,   and    science   finds   its 
chief  employment  m  the  arts  of  adulteration.     In  the 
meantime,  the  condition    ofth^   industrial   class   has 
become  distressingly  bad  from  the  legal  monopoly  of 
every  conceivable  article  in  use,  by  parties  who  have 
worked  themselves  into  a   position    where  they   can 
control  its  make,  or  production,  and  charge  the  mon- 
opoly prico,  which  i^  all  that    .:an  be   forced    froj  \    a 
needy  public;  with  production  controlled  and  limited 
by  trusts,  workmen's  wag.s  reduced  and   their   com- 
binations for  protecting  themselves    broken    by   the 
wholesale  importation  of  alien  labor  from  the  impov- 
erished populations  of  aristocratic  Europe.     And    so 
the  social  crime  of  one  man  plundering  many  by   le- 
gal means  in  coal,  food,  shelter  and  every  other  nec- 


.ww«if»s»9i;-;Saytafe;«i«&i«i*^^ 


"^*f'  'S^- 


"THE  BROTHER. 


183 


^  are  deadly 
liquors  sold 
ny  style  of 
rit  and  pass- 
ispecting,  or 

public  there 
;  science    of 
Lws  seem  to 
ombinations 
\  the  unpro- 
and  worship 
s.      So  suc- 
legal    rob- 
.  ^ntry    has 
:  of '  practi- 
ce  finds   its 
on.     In  the 
1   class   has 
tionopoly  of 
:s  who  have 
c  they   can 
fe  the  mon- 
:ed    fro:  I,  a 
and  limited 
their   cou- 
:en    by   the 
the  impov- 
:.     And    so 
lany  by   le- 
'  other  nec- 


essary of  life,  together  with  the  supplanting  of  home 
labor  by  cheap  aliens  in  every  industrial  department, 
goes  on,  there  is  no  avenue  of  escape  for  our  outcast 
workers  to  ciist  but  steal,  or,  in  the  abandonment  of 
despair,  seek  the  wood  spirit  poison  which,  if  not  at- 
tainable, can  be  substituted  by  the  far  greater  evil  of 
opium  or  chloral  to  deaden  the  few  remaining  days 
between  his  god  given  life  and  the  monopolists'  pit  of 
death.  The  same  law  holds  with  more  helpless  women 
for  whom  a  living  death,  for  a  short  time  while  youth 
and  beauty  last,  is  far  worse  than  the  dark  river. 

"Wha*^  would  society  think  if  I  were  to  describe 
the  true  coJidition  of  the  foul  nests  of  humanity  abund- 
antly existing  ie  its  midst,  among  the  degraded  poor, 
removed  only  from  their  eyes  by  a  wall  of  bricks  and 
raortar,  or  by  a  few  steps  into  a  side  street }  Ah  !  no, 
these  things  cans,  ^t  be  told  ;  the  press,  the  pulpit, 
decent  society,  tne  municipal  and  national  govern- 
ments, would  all  prove  hostile  to  its  recital.  It  will 
never  do  to  display  to  the  world  our  cancerous,  social 
sores.  Such  an  exhibition  of  the  results  of  social  dis- 
parity, resulting  from  poverty  and  the  defects  of  our 
favoritfj  institutions,  would  prove  to  the  world  that  a 
Democracy  is  no  cure  for  the  evils  of  society;  and 
that  chattel  slavery,  aristocratic,  or  ecclesiastical 
systems,  exhibit  no  worse  conditions,  and  perhaps 
better. 

"Evidently  some  canker  worm  is  at  Wie  root  of  so- 
cie*->'  which  no  form  of  government  yet  devised  by 
man  has  been  able  to  eradicate  Is  there  no  cure  for 
this  disease .'     The  confusion  01    statesmen,   divines, 


1 84 


'THE  BROTHEK. 


ill 

M  i 

I 
If 

1 


m 


» 


philosophers  and  scientists,  over  this  puzzling  ques- 
tion, led  even  to  the  universal  embrace  of  the  illogi- 
cal and  now  exploded  theory  of  the  Rev.  Malthus, 
that  poverty  and  misery  were  sent  us  by  Almighty 
God  to  develop  patience  and  gratitude.  Any  argu- 
ment seems  welcome  to  these  horrified  thinkers  that 
shifts  social  crimes  upon  the  Creator,  to  whom  we 
owe  our  existence;  or  that  will  stultify  or  soothe  con- 
science with  the  opiate,  that  this  state  of  things  is  a 
necessity,  for  which  God  only  is  accountable,  and  fs 
without  cure.  This  is  the  question  that  must  be  im- 
mediately settled.  It  admits  of  no  delay.  Society  is 
a  corpse:  the  coroner  has  given  his  verdict  of  'death 
according  to  the  facts.'  The  autopsy  is  held  and  in 
its  vitals  the  root  of  the  disease  has  been  established. 
Remedies  have  been  suggested  to  cure  this  fatal  mal- 
ady: Henry  George  has  given  one;  Marx  andGroen- 
lund  have  given  another;  and  Edward  Bellamy  an- 
other. The  American  people,  and,  indeed,  the  peo- 
ple of  every  race,  tongue  and  clime,  must  gather  as 
a  court  to  try  the  case  and  decide  which  or  what  is 
the  sanitary  regulation  for  this  universal  plague,  that 
sinks  into  insignificance  all  other  plagues  aflecting 
humanity. 

"An  eminent  mechanical  engineer  with  whom  I 
had  been  scquainted  for  many  years,  had  joined  'The 
Brother'  and  myself  in  our  midnight  walk.  He  halted 
in  fiont  of  a  j/enny  restaurant,  at  No.  41,  Bowery,  to 
read  the  sign  that,  in  gilt  letters,  announced  the  price 
at  which  food  could  be  purchased.  It  ran  as 
foUowst 


izzitng  ques- 
of  the  illogi- 
Lev.  Malthus, 
by  Almiglity 
Any  argu- 
thinkers  that 
;o  whom  we 
r  soothe  con- 
of  things  is  a 
table,  and    fs 

must  be  im- 
f.  Society  is 
diet  of  'death 

held  and  in 
1  established, 
his  fatal  mal- 
X  and  Groen- 
Bellamy  an- 
ed,  the  peo- 
ist  gather  as 
\  or  what  is 
!  plague,  that 
ues   aflecting 

'ith  whom  I 
d  joined  'The 
ik.  He  halted 
t,  Bowery,  to 
ced  the  price 
It   ran    as 


"THE  BROTHER."  I&5 

4000    PEOPLE  EAT  HERE   DAILY. 

BOSTON  BAKERY  AND  LUNCH  ROOM, 
41  BOWERY.      Open  all  night. 


BILL  OF  FARE. 

BAKED  ON   THE  PREMISES. 


Rolls,  each 

ic 

Tea  biscuits,  each 

IC 

Buns,  each 

»c 

Corn  Muflfins,  each 

2C 

Graham  Muflfins,  each 

2d 

Crullers,  earh 

IC 

Coffee  twists,  each 

2C 

Lunch  cakes,  each 

2C 

Vanilla  cakes,  each 

2C 

Apple  tarts,  each 

2C 

Mince  tarts,  each 

ic 

Cream  pufifs,  each 

3c 

Chocolate  eclaires,  each 

3C 

All  pies,  per  cut 

4c 

Metropolitan  cakes 

3C 

SPECIALTIES. 

Pure  creamery  coffee 

3C 

Tea 

3c 

Pure  milk,  per  glass 

3c 

Bowl  of  milk 

4c 

Corned  beef  sandwich 

3c 

Ham  sap<:iwich 

3C 

"The  front  was  open  to  the  street  and  the  patrons, 
waiters  and  viands,  were  perfectly  visible.  The  inte- 
rior was  nicely  fitted  up  with  California   red  wood   in 

24 


1 


.I?« 


f 


tS6 


'THE  BROTHER." 


the  latest  style,  taste  and  good  workmanship,  with 
automatic  fans  to  cool  the  guest*  while  at  their  repast. 
Capital  had  here  been  confidently  invested,  and  science 
had  lent  its  glories  in  electric  communication  that 
economized  time  and  labor.  White,  cheerful  splendor 
from  numerous  incandescent  lights,  added  to  the 
penny  restaurant  the  regal  magnificence  of  the  palace, 
and  extended  the  bounties  of  civilization  to  embelli.sh 
the  feast  of  the  impoverished  citizen,  who,  a  moment 
before,  had  on  the  street  begged  a  nickel  from  some 
good  Samaritan,  or  had  pawned  some  fortunately  ob- 
tained article  from  one  of  the  long  established  shops 
of  the  distinguished  and  reliable  firm  of  Simpson  & 
Co.  Within  busy  waiters  moved  rapidly  among  the 
crowded  tables  supplying  the  appetites  of  its  patrons 
with  the  various  luxuries  the  establishment  offered  to 
give  them  in  exchange  for  their  wealth,  to  which  an 
extra  flavor  was  added  by  that  most  important  ingre- 
dient necessary  in  every  department  of  life,  the  cheer- 
ful smile  and  happy  face  of  the  proprietor.  Many  of 
the  guests  were  strong  and  healthy,  a  fact  that  con- 
tradicted the  views  of  m^ny  who  maintain  the  idea 
that  man  can  only  exist  and  survive  successfully  un- 
der conditions  that  give  the  choice  cuts  of  food  and 
its  scientific  preparation  together  with  cultured  sur- 
roundings, choicely  located  habitations,  free  from  the 
malarial  microbe,  with  the  gentle  stimulus  of  fine 
wines,  and  the  restoring  qualities  of  the  Turkish  bath. 
Here  were  strapping,  strong  men,  both  of  the  com- 
pulsory idle  and  the  occupied  class,  and  others  who 
had  abandoned  ideas  embracing  the  demoralized  life 


anship,  with 
t  their  repast. 

d,  and  science 
lication  that 
;rful  splendor 
dded  to  the 
of  the  palace, 

toembelli?^ 
o,  a  moment 
I  from  some 
rtunately  ob- 
Hshed  shops 
f  Simpson  & 
'  among  the 
)f  its  patrons 
;nt  offered  to 
to  which  an 
ortant  ingre- 

e,  the  cheer- 
r.  Many  of 
act  thatcon- 
lin  the  idea 
essfuUy 
of  food 
:ultured 
free  from  the 
iulus  of  fine 
^urklsh  bath, 
of  the  corn- 
others  who 

loralized  life 


un- 
and 

sur- 


"THE  BROTHER. 


i«7 


of  the  confirmed  tramp.  Not  in  the  penny  restaurant 
after  the  midnight  hour,  because  of  revelry  and  dis- 
sipation, for  the  prodigal's  patronage  is  here  obtain- 
ed only  after  his  power  for  prodigality  has  coased; 
but  because  the  civilized  industries  of  the  metropolis 
demand  his  services  during  the  hours  of  night,  or  be- 
cause  the  hour  of  rest  in  a  doorway,  or  the  cheap 
lodging  houses,  is  unregrctfully  postponed  as  long  as 
possible.  The  establishment  frankly  displayed  its 
quotations  of  the  market  to  all  the  world  without  re- 
serve. No  attempt  had  yet  been  made  in  this  indus- 
try to  form  an  inner  Stock  Exchange  ring,  or  to 
establish  private  lines  for  secret  communication,  so 
as  to  prevent  the  independent  bucket  shops  from 
competing.  The  philanthropic  blessing  of  these 
cheap  restaurant  commodities  to  the  public,  could  be 
claimed  irom  a  motive  the  opposite  of  that  so  ably 
put  forth  by  the  Standard  Oil  Co.,  who,  by  obliter- 
ating every  individual  producer  has  not  only  given 
to  society  a  better  and  cheaper  oil,  but  has  also  lim- 
ited the  ability  of  society  to  purchase  its  perfect  pro- 
duet.  So  ^  still  cheaper  if  not  a  better  oil  will  be 
the  future  necessity  of  this  world-controlling,  philan- 
thropic Company,  in  order  to  meet  the  purchasing 
abilities  of  that  portion  of  consumers  who  still  pre- 
cariously maintain  themselves  outside  of  the  penny 
restaurant,  or  the  cheap  lodging  house. 

"The  motive  here  was  individual  investment  of 
capital  in  a  smaller  and  ever  growing  smaller  kind 
of  merchandising,  to  meet  the  smaller  and  ever  grow- 
ing smaller  power  of  purchasers.  Our  Chinese  neigh- 


!'*'*■ 


aMM'flWMMtW 


188 


'THE  BROTHER. 


^1' 


■11 


bors  in  the  adjoining  street,  with  all  their  infinite 
division  of  small  cash  dealings,  are  here  eclipsed  and 
outdone  in  the  race  towards  littleness.  The  scientific 
power  of  the  Anglo-American  mind  obliterates  the 
infinite  economy  of  the  Mongol  intellect.  Further 
up  the  street  a  more  elegant  establishment,  with  ar- 
tistic tile  floors  and  all  the  refined  embellishments  of 
the  modern  saloon,  offers  to  the  cheaply  clad  dude 
nourishment  for  his  body  at  the  same  prices.  Bu^ 
not  to  offend  his  sensibilities  in  regard  to  the  empti- 
ness of  his  purse,  or  wound  the  loftiness  of  his  secret 
aspirations  to  impress  society  with  the  idea  that  his 
financial  position  is  on  a  basis  that  will  command  the 
respect  of  the  universal  worshippers  of  the  golden 
calf,  the  sign  which  publishes  the  prices  of  the  luxur- 
ies at  the  other  penny  restaurant  is  here  kindly 
suppressed. 

"This  penny  restaurant  pays  $i8oo  rent  per  an- 
num; the  creamery  pays  $2300.  It  takes  230,000  cents 
to  first  make  the  rent  that  goes  to  the  landlord;  then 
comes  the  expenses  and  profit  of  the  owner:  and,  you 
see,  capital  is  invested  freely  here.  Now,  can  you 
imagine  how  many  people  live  at  the  penny  restau- 
rant? It  is  easy  to  calculate,  and  none  aspire  to  the 
luxury  of  a  ten  cent  purchase;  still  they  live  and  pros- 
per on  the  Iramp,  the  beggar,  the  down  trodden  and 
the  outcast.  Who  can  say  that  the  avenues  to  suc- 
cess are  closed  to  enterprise  ? 

"  The  frequent  occurrence  of  adverse  circumstances 
upon  numbers  of  the  great  class  of  society  that  are 
obliged  to  live  so  near  the  death    line,   often   termi- 


'■"sA^^'jmmm^iitiK'Sa^. 


•THE  BROTHER. 


189 


their  infinite 
eclipsed  and 
rhe  scientific 
•literates  the 
:t.  Further 
:nt,  with  ar- 
Hishments  of 
ly  clad  dude 
prices.  Bu»- 
0  the  empti- 
of  his  secret 
idea  that  his 
:ominand  the 
the  golden 
of  the  luxur- 
hcre   kindly 

rent  per  an- 
230,000  cents 
ndlord;  then 
ner:  and,  you 
ow,  can  you 
enny  restau- 
aspire  to  the 
live  and  pros- 
trodden  and 
nues   to  suc- 

ircumstances 
ety  that  arc 
often   termi- 


nates their  struggles  for  existence  by  death  from 
many  other  causes  than  suicide.  And  the  authorities 
whose  painful  duty  it  is  to  look  after  these  matters 
become  by  practice  wonderfully  expert  in  recogniz- 
ing where  the  unfortunates  belong.  One  young  man 
whose  body  was  found  on  the  sidewalk,  illustrates 
this  expcrtness  sufikiently  well.  The  police  had 
summoned  the  coroner  who,  upon  arriving,  demand- 
ed if  they  had  searched  his  clothes  to  firtd  any  means 
of  identifying  the  body.  Upon  receiving  from  the 
police  thi  assurance  that  no  means  of  identification 
h»d  been  found,  he  asked  what  kind  of  collar  the  de- 
ceased had  on.     The  reply  was:  'A  paper  collar,  sir.' 

•"Urnph!  He  is  a  Jersey  man.  Take  his  collar 
off.'  The  policemen  proceeded  to  divest  the  dead 
man  of  his  paper  collar  and  remarked  to  the  coroner 
that  the  collar  had  been  turned. 

'•'Oh! 'replied  the  coroner, 'the  collar  has  been 
turned,  eh.>     Then  he  is  a  New  Yorker.' 

•"Observe  this  man  coming  towa»*ds  us,'  said  'The 
Brother."     '  He  is  one  of  the  characters  of  the  city.' 

"We  turned,  and  saw  a  tall  man  with  intelligent, 
regular  features  and  a  heavy  military  moustache.  On 
his  head  was  a  wide  rimmed,  soft  felt  hat,  and  he  was 
in  his  shirt  sleeves.  He  was  introduced  to  us  as  the 
'General.'  It  was  at  once  evident  from  his  ease  of 
manner  and  good  language  that  his  education  had 
not  been  received  in  this  neighborhood;  and  so  it 
*  proved,  for  we  soon  discovered  that  he  once  occupied 
a  high  place  in  social  life  and  had  been  wealthy. 
On  his  intelligent  brow  was  a  sabre  wound   received 


'IF 


M«pl 


lit 


190 


•THE  BROTHER." 


in  battle  in  defense  of  his  country.  He  haJ  never 
lost  his  honor,  his  humanity,  nor  moral  re!>pectability- 
His  manhood  was  intact,  but  still  he  was  an  outcast 
from  society  and  ignored  by  well-to-do  acquaint- 
ances of  former  days,  not  bacause  of  personal  taint, 
but  for  being  subject  to  the  ncver-to-be-pardoned 
crime  of  losing  his  money.  This  expulsion  from  the 
garden  of  paradise  of  his  former  life,  did  not  drive 
this  brave  man  to  commit  the  customary  suicide, 
either  by  the  slow  process  of  alcohol,  or  the  rapid 
one,  the  bullet.  The  rules  of  civilized  life  regarding 
the  moneyless  outcast,  were  accepted  by  him  »s  cor- 
rect and  proper — at  least,  he  was  not  disposed  to  be- 
come a  reformer  pf  any  of  them  that,  to  him,  might 
be  objectionable,  and  simply  accepted  his  punishment 
without  a  murmer,  stepping  out  before  the  expelling 
angel  with  the  flaming  sword,  and  going  into  the 
land  of  Nod,  where  dwell  the  great  dollarless  mass 
of  the  human  race  apart  from  the  wealthy  few. 

"The  'General '  had  risen  to  be  the  manager  of  one 
of  the  b«tter  sort  of  cheap  lodging  houses,  which,  at 
the  request  of  '  The  Brother,' he  kindly  showed  us, 
taking  us  from  floor  to  floor  exhibiting  the  arrange- 
ments and  the  sleepers.  Entering  a  narrow,  obscure 
hall,  we  ascended  to  the  second  story  occupied  by 
those  who  could  aflbrd  to  pay  the  muniflcient  sum  of 
fifteen  cents.  These  accommodations  consisted  of 
stalls  about  five  by  ten  feet,  with  a  cotton  curtain  in 
front  for  the  rare  few  who  cared  for  privacy.  Each 
stall  was  furnished  with  a  cot  bed  formed  of  unpaint- 
ed,  iron  gas  pipe,  containing  a  mattress,  two   sheets 


\ 


■  ''*«rafc«^«««^«S*(^S^f9i^BiHt^^  ' 


'THE  BROTHER. 


*."i'''^'«.- 


191 


;  haJ  never 
:!spectability. 
s  an  outcast 
lo  acquaint- 
rsonal  taint, 
be-pardoned 
ion  from  the 
d  not  drive 
lary  suicide, 
r  the  rapid 
ife  regarding 
'  him  as  cor- 
iposed  to  be- 

him,  might 
I  punishment 
le  expelling 
>ing  into  the 
larless  mass 
y  few. 

nager  of  one 
9,  which,  at 
showed  us, 
the  arrange- 
row,  obscur:! 
occupied  by 
:ient  sum  of 

consisted  of 
n  curtain  in 
acy.  Each' 
I  of  unpaint- 

two   sheets 


and  a  comfortable,  and  in  the  corner  a  very  small 
clodet  to  hang  the  clothing.  Three  floors  of  a  large 
warehouse,  with  plain  brick,  unplastered  walls,  white- 
washed, were  divided  off  in  this  way,  the  larger  por- 
ti'  1  of  which  was  used  for  beds  formed  in  the  same 
way  only  placed  one  above  the  other  to  economize 
.space.  These  are  called  double  deckers  and  cost  ten 
cents  per  night.  Many  of  the  sleepers  entirely  divest- 
ed themselvesof  their  clothing,  glad  of  the  relief  from 
the  heated,  saturated  and  stale  covering  worn  every 
day  in  the  year,  and  constituting  the  only  encum- 
brance in  the  shape  of  wealth  they  possessed.  Un- 
like the  man  with  a  wife  and  family,  and  a  few  articles 
of  furniture,  they  could  not  be  dispossessed;  for,  if 
turned  into  the  street,  nothing  prevented  them  from 
walking  off  into  the  world  wherever  fancy  or  necessity 
took  them,  being  without  ties  of  affection  of  any  kind 
that  build  eithe»-  the  family  or  the  state. 

"If  it  be  true,  as  Confucius  states,  that  ' upon  the 
family  is  built  the  state,'  then,  with  us,  there  will 
soon  come  a  time  when  there  will  be  no  state.  For 
daily  the  family  is  disappearing;  a  few  weeks  out  of 
employment  being  sufficient  to  send  the  poor  house- 
hold goods  to  the  pawnbroker,  or  set  them  on  the 
street  for  non-payment  of  rent;  to  make  of  the  hus- 
band a  tramp,  the  wife  and  children  paupers  support- 
ed by  the  rest  of  society,  who  enact  rules  to  prevent 
them,  even  in  prison,  from  producing  anything;  and 
send  the  boys  to  the  streets  as  homeless  gamin  and 
his  daughters  to  worse  than  the  grave.  - 

"  Home,  Sweet  Home !     The  music   of  that  sweet 


;    I 
■1  •': 


w 


193 


'THE  BROTHER. 


I 


ii   '   ' 


Ir 


¥ 


w 


mn 


sentence  found  no  response  In  the  hearts  of  the  army 
inhabiting  this  homeless  place.  None  here  could  say: 
'Be  It  ever  so  humble,  there's  no  place  like  home.' 
To  few  was  there  recollection  of  tender  associations; 
In  their  memories  sweet,  sympathetic  voiced  mothers, 
affectionate  fathers,  loving  brothers  and  sisters,  or 
innocent  children,  found  no  place:  the  charm  of  civil- 
ized life,  developed  from  physical  comfoit,  ethical 
culture,  literature,  art  and  society,  was  to  them  a 
desert  waste.  Recollection  brought  only  the  tene- 
ment, the  slum,  the  saloon,  the  brothel,  the  daily 
struggle  for  bread  and  the  contempt  of  all  who  were 
more  fortunate. 

"In  this  hollow  mockery  of  a  home,  a  settled  sad- 
ness prevailed,  as  though  the  blight  had  settled  on 
every  hope  of  joy.  No  father,  mother,  sister  or  off- 
spring, were  here,  around  whom  the  ivy  of  affection 
could  grow  and  flourish.  Not  even  the  news  boys' 
mouth  organ,  with  which  they  shorten  the  weary 
hours  of  night,  was  heard  in  this  homeless  desert,  to 
compensate  for  the  sublime  music  of  Beethoven, 
Wagner,  or  Verdi,  which  ravishes  the  senses  of  their 
wealthy  brothers.  Not  a  picture  hung  on  the  walls 
to  call  out  the  mind  to  the  ideal  beauty  of  life;  even 
the  agonizing  cry  of  the  god  man  from  the  cross,  that 
would  have  been  con.sonant  with  a  possible  human 
emotion  left  within  their  breasts,  did  not  exist  here. 
Only  the  white-washed,  brick  walls,  the  gas  pipe  beds 
and  d  rty  bed  clothes,  shelter  from  the  storm  and  the 
sad  company  of  their  kind,  presented  to  them  a  piti- 
ful substitute  for  the  emotional  thrill  of  joy  embodied 


THK  HKOTHER." 


•93 


I  of  the  army 
re  could  say: 
like  home.' 
a8sociation<i; 
cod  mothers, 
d  sisters,  or 
larm  of  civil- 
ifoit,  ethical 
s  to  them  a 
ly  the  tene- 
;1,  the  daily 
all  who  were 

settled  sad- 
ad  settled  on 
sister  or  ofi- 
y  of  affection 
!  news  boys' 
1  the  weary 
ss  desert,  to 
f  Beethoven, 
nses  of  their 
on  the  walls 
of  life;  even 
he  cross,  that 
sibie    human 

exist  here, 
gas  pipe  beds 
torm  and  the 
them  a  piti- 
oy  embodied 


in  the  tenderness  of 'Home,  Sweet  Home.' 

••Pointing  to  one  of  the  sleepers,  the  General  said: 
"•This  boy  has  been  with  me  since  early  last  winter. 
His  mother  placed  him  here  in  my  care  and  I  take  an 
interest  in  him.  Of  course,  I  had  to  have  a  written  permit 
from  her  to  place  him  here.    He  goes  to  work  at  four 
in  the  morning.     This  young   man   sleeping   on   his 
face  works  in  the  market  and    goes  to  work  at  three 
in  the  morning.  We  have  frequently  to  stand  him  on 
his  feet  for  some  minutes  to  ensure  his  being    awake, 
for  he  is  a  heavy  sleeper.     See  what  strong  muscles 
he  has  in  his  back  and  legs  for  a  young  fellow.    This 
man  in  the  upper  bed  has  been    with  me   two  years 
and  is  a  nice,  steady  man,  a  lithographer.     When   he 
can  get  work  his  wages  are  good,  for  he  is  a  very  fine 
workman;  his  living  amounts  to  about  $2,50  per  week. 
The  balance  he  gives  to  me  to  save  for  hi.n,  so   as  to 
pay  his  way  when  he  is  out  of  work.      All   he  has  in 
the  v.orld  is  the  dirty  clothes  you  see   hanging  there. 
We  have  all  kinds  here;  I  keep  everything  as  clean  as 
I  can  for  them  and  ventilate  the  place  well.      Here, 
in  this  corner,  is  a  water  closet,  and  a  basin  and  tow- 
el to  wash  with.     Often,  those   with  only   one   shirt 
wash  it  out  in  the  basin,  and  I  let  them  hang  it  up  at 
the  stove  while  they  lie  in  bed  till  it  dries.      I  do  all 
I  can    to  make  them  comfortable.      About  three,   or 
half  past  three,  there   will  be   three  or   four  hundred 
more  come    in  from  the  street  and    fill  the    place   up 
pretty  well.  We  have  them  all  numbered  in  this   way 
(showing  us  a  neatly  arranged  book)  and  make  a  list 
like  this,  giving  the  numbers  of  the  beds  that  require 

25 


■WHWi 


,"'C'?  •     •* 


%. 


I 


■v^r' 


"THK  BROTIIKR. 


to  be  called  at  each  hour  ol  the  night  or  day  to  go  to 
worH.  Here,  in  front  of  the  o»1ice,  you  sec,  we  have 
a  large  room  with  chairs  and  tables  where  they  can 
come  in  out  of  the  bad  weather  and  read  tlie  papers, 
and — just  walk  back  here! — you  sec  I  have  even  a 
place  to  blacken  their  shoes,  if  they  want  to.  Kvcry- 
thing  is  as  complete  as  I  can  make  it.' 

"Really,  the  General  was  a  humane  kind  of  a  man 
to  these  homeless  people.  Of  course,  he  said:  'I  don't 
own  the  place  but  run  it  for  another  man  who  is  out 
of  town.'  This  other  man.  who  was  the  proprietor,  I 
learned  afterwards,  was  in  prison  (or  frauc  ulently 
voting  his  guests  at  the  last  election  in  the  interest 
of  some  of  the  successful,  distinguished  officials  who 
live  in  splendor  on  the  Avenue,  and  who  so  intellect- 
ually disputeand  vetotheballotrefnrm  bill  .with  such 
virtuous  display  of  protecting  the  rights  o(  the  (ice 
and  independent  citizen    and  the   blind  and  illiterate 

voter.*  >f;n--i'tfiV'V^'*'^.«'->''     ■ 

"  As  we  left  the  good  General,  who  hatf  come  into 


♦In  »n  article  on  "Crime's  Breeding  Places"  in  the  current  number 
of  the  North  American  Keriew,  Inepector  Byrnes  says: 

"  It  is  undeniable  that  the  lodging  houmes  u(  the  city  have  a  power- 
ful tendency  to  produce,  foster  and  increase  crime.  Instead  of  being 
places  where  respectable  people  reduced  in  oircum8tani'ei<ortemi>orar- 
ily  short  of  money  can  secure  a  clean  bed  for  a  small  amount  of  money, 
they  have  oometo  be  largely  frequented  by  thieves  or  other  criniinals 
of  the  lowest  class,  who  lodge  "n  these  resorts  regularly  and  here  i  (n- 
aort  together  and  lay  their  plans  for  crimes  of  one  sort  or  another." 

The  Inspector  goes  on  to  show  that  nine  out  of  ten  of  the  boys  who 
run  away  from  home  and  get  into  cheap  lodging  houses  become  thieves, 
If,  indeed,  they  do  not  sooner  or  later  beocme  murderers.  1  he  In- 
spector suggests  as  a  remedy  the  enactment  of  stringent  laws  by  the 
legislature  for  the  government  of  lodging  bouses. 

So  great  has  the  evil  grown  that  the  police  admit  that  they  are  un- 


^^(k.' 


■--!:j«a*v1?>.. '■■ 


^b^.'.  .f.^,^u-gi»^,^ 


day  to  go  to 

te,  we   have 

ere  they  can 

the  papers, 

have  even  a 
;  to.    Every- 

ml  of  a  man 
aid:  '  I  don  t 
who  is  out 
proprietor,  I 
fr;;u(  ulently 

the  interest 
fficiiils  who 
so  intellect- 
II  .with  such 
of  the  (ice 
tnd  illiterate 

d  come  into 

current  number 
8: 

J  have  a  power- 
Instead  of  being 
leportemporar- 
dount  of  money, 
other  criniinals 
y  and  here  r('n- 
t  or  another." 
of  the  boys  who 
become  thiwves, 
irers.  1  he  In- 
nt  laws  by  the 

flt  th?7  are  un< 


n^^tt^'V- 


••THK  HkOTHKR. 


•95 


our  class  (a» 'The  Brother' termed  it)  and  who   had 
borne  his  lot  with  such    fortitude,  contributing    what 
he  could  of  his  stock  of  human  kindneis  towards   his 
submerged  fellows.  'The  Brother  '  remarked,    -What 
is  the  significi  nee  of  all  this?     Have  you    wver   seri- 
ously thought  what  it  signifies?     Does  it  not    signify 
that  the  men  who  are    without   the    encumbrance   of 
wife  or  family,  can  sleep  in  the  lodging  house  and  eat 
at  the  penny  restaurant   and  in  the  constant  pressure 
of  wages  to  the  death  line,  survive  the  man  of  family 
and  home,  who  cannot  possibly  compete  with  them  ? 
Here  is  a    pamphlet   of  the    Florence    Mission   that 
states  that  in  New  York  6o,oco  girls   are   homeless 
and  on  the  streets.     Is  that  not  the  result  of  the   de- 
struction of  the  family?  and  you    may   add   to    that  a 
proportionate  number  of  fathers,  mothers  ?.nd    small 
children,  and   see    what  proportion   the   select   four 
hundred  bear  to  the  great  mass  of  unfortunates.    The 
landlords,'  continued  -The  Brother,'  'live  on  the  Ave- 
nue in  splendor.     These  wretched  properties,  you  see 
here  in  the  Chinese  and  Italian  quarter,  I  can    assure 
you.  pay  better  than  the  finest  in  the   city;   for   they 
are  divided  up  into  small  rooms,  each  occupant  pay- 
in.^'  a  tjoo  1  rent.     The  buildings  have  no  value  worth 
speaking  of.  but  the  site  on  which  they    stand    forces 
these  people  to  crowd  and  herd  together  like  sheip  in 
a  pen.     You  can  see  here  that  even  banks  flourish  in 
the  Italian  quarter.     These  aliens  who  work   for    8oc 

able  to  cope  with  it  without  legislaticn  mving  them  special  power  in 
that  direction.  There  are  now  in  the  city  840  lodging  houses  of  the 
class  referred  to.  and  during  the  year  1888  there  were  furnished  4,669. 
660  aheap  lodgings  in  these  places. 


,|.i 


196 


"THE  BROTHER." 


per  day  and  have  supplanted  our  married  and  single 
laborers,  save,  even  then,  something,  which  goes  into 
these  banks  and  forms  an  amount  for  money  chang- 
ers to  use  profitably;  because  these  aliens  herd  to- 
gether, sleep  in  their  clothes  and  eat  staie.  mouldy 
bread,  sent  in  bags  from  all  over  the  country  by  the 
car  load,  which  I  have  seen  eaten  in  holes  by  the  car 
rats,  which  however  makes  no  difference  to  these 
people  who,  as"  bishop  Potter  told  the  Pres- 
ident and  cabinet  the  other  day,  'diluted  our  nation- 
al manhood,'  and  whom  Henry  George  in  Progress 
and  Poverty  calls  'European  garbage  dumped  on 
American  soil," 

"  In  a  handsomely  fitted  saloon,  well  filled  with 
men,  we  stood  in  front  of  the  bar.  'The  Brother' 
was  quietly  hailed  by  the  bar  tender  as  -Brother,'  a 
title  by  which  this  fraternity  recognizea  friends  or  pals. 
Although  his  intimacy  existed  with  these  develop- 
ments of  the  hard  side  of  humanity  since  seven  years 
of  age,  at  which  time  he  had  shaken  oft"  the  paternal 
and  maternal  care,  if  such  ever  existed,  a  connection 
of  which  all  trace  had  been  lost  in  the  wastes  and  sol- 
itudes of  the  mighty,  struggling  throng  of  men;  yet 
most  of  these  intimates  never  knew  his  real  name,  or 
cared  to  know,  'Brother'  being  the  only  necessary 
pass  word  between  them,  symbolizing  the  fraternity 
and  confidence  betv/een  friends  who  were  known  and 
trusty.  So  firm  is  this  bond  that  no  power  car,  break 
it,  and  so  close  are  the  relations  of  their  social  state, 
that  punishment  and  even  death  is  borne  with  r,  forti- 
tude and  heroism,  in  the  protection  of  each  other  from 


■  •'^iummi-.iiimsmm-  ■ 


d  and   single 

lich  goes  into 

loney  chang- 

lens  herd  to- 

taie.   mouldy 

jntry  by    the 

es  by  the  car 

ice   to   these 

J    the    Pres- 

our    nationr 

in    Progress 

dumped    on 

1  filled  with 
~he    Brother' 

'Brother,'  a 
iends  or  pals. 
;se    develop- 

seven  years 
the  paternal 
a  connection 
stcs  and  sol- 
ofmen;  yet 
eal  name,  or 
ly  necessary 
tie  fraternity 
e  known  and 
er  car,  breaic 
social  state, 
with  r,  forti- 
h  other  from 


"THE  BROTHER. 


197 


the  interfeMnce  of  their  so  regarded  enemie^>  the 
wealthy  class,  or. the  legal  authorities,  fully  equal  to 
the  Spartans  who  composed  the  imm  -rtal  band  of 
Leonidas,  at  the  pass  of  Thermopolae.  In  this  cluss, 
representing  to  society,  as  they  do,  the  odious  side  of 
human  life,  it  is  evident,  that  the  holy  spirit  of  truth, 
honor  and  manhood,  exists,  even  though  it  finds  a 
disagreeable  and  unfortunate  expression  in  the  defense 
of  each  other's  crime.  From  their  standpoint  it  pre- 
sents an  admirable  spirit  of  heroism,  being,  from  their 
low  state,  the  only  conception  of  the  ideal. 

"If  we  wish  to  look  for  souls  entirely  dead  to  the 
nobler  feelings  that  naturally  animate  the  human 
breast,  in  which  the  icy  chill  of  Arctic  wastes  has 
frozen  the  pulse  of  goodness  to  unrestorable  rigidity 
and  blighted  the  last  hope  of  the  germ  of  human 
sympathy  to  ever  sprout  and  blossom  in  the  warm 
sun  of  noble  thoughts  and  deeds,  it  is  certainly  not 
here  for  evidences  arise  on  every  hand  of  rough  af- 
fection that  the  ultimate  of  misery  has  failed  to  erad- 
icate from  human  breasts.  The  army  of  homeless 
men,  women  and  children,  in  this  great  metropolis, 
who  rise  from  fetid  lairs  with  evejy  returning  sun 
or  storm  and  know  not  from  whence  in  this  world  of 
superabundance  is  to  come  their  breakfast,  still  show 
a  sp<-\rk  of  human  sympathy  in  mutual  assistance  and 
protection.  Souls  entirely  dead  must  be  sought  else- 
where. For  it  is  not  in  the  poverty  stricken  and  for- 
ced-to-be criminal  class  that  virtue  is  eliminated,  but 
rather  its  more  attractive  features  hidden  by  degrada- 
tion.    While  viewing  the    actors  in   this    legally  for- 


1 93 


"THE  BROTHER." 


I. 
11 


§' 


•  rl!- 


bid-ie:'.  Sunday  night  environment,  who  naakcand  un- 
make their  governors  according  as  their  privileges 
are  enlarged  or  restricted;  supremely  rulers  of  the 
rulers  who  have  driven  the  would-be  monopolists  of 
weaLii  to  divide  the  spoils  of  society,  called  the  cor- 
ruption fund,  with  the  supreme  rulers  at  election 
times,  and  at  all  other  times  permit  the  full  enjoyment 
of  the  pleasures  and  pains  of  their  sociaJ  f.tate,  I 
could  not  resist  the  reflection  on  what  history  would 
say  of  the  tendencies  of  the  closing  years  of  the 
Nineteenth  Century. 

"Several  young  women, whose  splatchy  faces  show- 
ed the  strife  of  the  ravages  of  alcohol  with  the  vita! 
forces  within,  entered  with  male  companions  and 
passed  to  rear  enclosures  where  they  refreshed  them- 
selves with  stimulants,  then  passed  out  again  to  their 
only  parlor,  the  reeking  streets.  At  a  rear  table  sat 
a  policeman,  wi'';h  two  blue  stripes  on  his  left  arm, 
amusing  himself  by  throwing  dice;  another  poliie- 
man  entered  and  received  trom  the  bar  tender  a  large 
glass  of  whiskey  which.  I  observed,  he  Wid  not  pay 
for.  The  legal  restrictions  of  the  police  when  on 
duty,  were  evidently  hero  a  dead  letter. 

"Human  passions,  or  human  injustice,  were  no*^  the 
only  oubjects  of  interest  in  this  study;  the  wizard 
power  of  invention,  which  has  so  multiplied  produc- 
tive forces  in  this  marvelous  age,  was  also  present 
here,  A  machine,  that  would,  in  former  ages,  have 
brought  its  inventor  to  the  stake,  as  one  inspired  by 
His  Satanic  Majesty,  following  che  spirit  of  its  human 
maker  in  th;  desire  for  gold,  stood  awaiting  an  invi- 


"THE  BROTHER." 


199 


OMkc  and  un- 
eir    p.*ivileges 

rulers  of  the 
onopolists  of 
illeJ  the  cor- 
s  at  election 
"ull  enjoyment 
ocia.'  f.tate,  I 
history  would 

years  of  the 

y  faces  show- 
vith  the  vita! 
ipanions  and 
freshed  them- 
again  to  their 
rear  table  sat 
his  left  arm, 
other  polke- 
tender  a  large 
e  f'id  not  pay 
ice    when   on 

;,  were  no*  the 
i;  the  wizard 
plied  produc- 
also  present 
ler  ages,  have 
:  inspired  by 
t  of  its  human 
liting  an  invi- 


tation, by  the  deposit  of  a  nickel  in  its  spacious  pocket, 
to  speak  to  you  with  mathematical  precision  upon  a 
given  theme.  Amazing  mechanical  skill,  In  scientif- 
ic calculation  and  superior  workmanship,  the  result 
of  a  life  of  training,  added  its  charm  to  the  contem- 
plation of  its  mysteries  as  it  glittered  and  sparkled, 
under  Edison's  electric  light,  in  its  silver  mounted, 
glass  case.  A  gilded  spiral  column,  surmounted  by 
a  silver  ball,  rose  and  danced  like  a  sylph  for  a  mo- 
ment to  the  tinkling  music  of  a  pathetic,  negro  song, 
and  as  the  last  strains  died  upon  the  ear,  a  click  of 
the  machine  beneath  threw  out  a  small  card  stating 
the  date  and  year  of  this  incident,  with  the  further 
information  tha;:  my  weight  was  178  pounds,  and  a 
request  to  preserve  this  advertisement  of  the  saloon 
for  future  reference.  The  pool  tables  in  the  rear  %vere 
the  central  attraction  for  the  entertainment  of  a  quiet 
group  of  homeless,  young  men  and  boys  who  amused 
themselves  and  enjoyed  each  others  company  until 
the  midnight  closing  of  the  saloon,  when  they  betook 
themselves  to  the  ten  or  fifteen  cent  lodging  houses, 
or  to  the  benches  ofthetwocent  coffee  hobse  untilthe 
light  and  life  of  nature's  morning  brought  the  daily 
struggle  from  meal  to  meal,  the  evening  comfjrt  of 
the  saloon,  the  lodging  house  or  coffee  shop  at  night; 
and  so  on.  till  society  reaps  her  golden  harvest  in  the 
prematurely  grey  haired  sot  whose  home  is  the  gut- 
ter, and  whose  couch  is  the  cold  stones  of  a  doorway; 
where  feverish  rest  of  their  aching  bones  and  throb- 
bing temples,  is  only  undisturbed  by  the  patrol  of  the 
night  becau.se   the  vorkhcuse,  jail,  hospitals,    public 


200 


'THE  BROTHER.  " 


and  private  institutions  of  every  kind,  overflow  with 
multitudes  of  wrecked,  hopeless  and  helpless  citizens 
of  the  Republic.  No  public  amusements  of  the  arena, 
combats  with  wild  beasts,  gladiators  and  christians, 
amuse  these  crushed  slaves;  no  public  palaces  with 
thermal  baths,  chariot  races  nor  Olympic  games.  It 
is  true,  we  have  a  little  harping  on  the  miseries  of  life 
in  our  churches,  tiresome  to  the  ear,  and  are  pointed 
to  the  blissful  state  to  come;  but  this  retains  the  mind 
ever  on  the  misfortunes  and  struggles  of  life  and  is 
less  relief  than  the  forgetful  moment  when  the  heart 
is  stimulated  to  riches  in  the  flowing  bowl.  No  eL'- 
gant  Cataline  cries  to  the  depressed  mob:  'Dance 
pleufans,  dance!  Why  are  you  so  sad.'  Largess, 
scatter  largess!  Drink!  be  happy,  largess!'  The  in- 
stitution of  the  saloon,  as  a  place  of  meeting,  has  be- 
come so  thoroughly  imbedded  in  our  modern  social 
life,  and  so  vast  in  its  u.ses  and  attractions,  that  its 
annihilation  is  simply  an  impossibility.  Whatever 
form  it  may  be  brought  to  take  under  the  im;>roved 
conditions  advocated  by  the  new  economists,  there 
is  the  absolute  certainty  that,  under  present  condi- 
tions, it  is  one  of  the  greatest  sources  of  wealth,  which, 
like  food,  clothing,  fuel  and  shelter,  is  controlled  ty 
powerful  monopolists  who  produce  the  beer  and  liquor 
consumed  in  them  and  furnish  the  capital  for  their  el- 
egant improvements.  The  Real  Estate  Record  and 
Guide  furnishes  weekly  an  account  of  the  mortg-'ges 
by  which  the  saloonkeeper  becomes  simply  th:*  agent 
or  medium  through  which  the  millions  flow  into  the 
brewer's,  distiller's,  or  merchant's  coffers.      Its   vast 


•THE  BROTHER. 


20 1 


tverflow  with 
Ipless  citizens 
i  of  the  arena, 
id  christians, 
palaces  with 
c  games.  It 
niseries  of  life 
d  are  pointed 
ains  the  mind 
of  life  and  is 
len  the  heart 
wl.  No  eL'- 
mob:  'Dance 
d.'  Largess, 
ess!'  The  ir- 
eting,  has  be- 
nodern  social 
ions,  that  its 
Whatever 
the  im;>roved 
omists,  there 
resent  concJi- 
vealth,  which, 
:ontro)led  by 
)eerand  liquor 
al  for  their  el- 
:  Record  and 
he  mortg-'ges 
ply  th:*  agent 
flow  into  the 
rs.      Its   vast 


trade  furnishes  civilized  government,  one  of  its   most 
powerful  sources  of  revenue,  the  means  for  designing 
men  to  obtain  position  and  power  for  unpatriotic  mo- 
tives.   Remote  antiquity  gives  evidence  that  the  pub- 
lic gathering  place  has  always  been   where   cheerful 
wine,  music  and  the  dance  girls,  gladdened  the  hours 
of  conversation  or  barter.     In  Greece,  it  was  claimed 
that  the  educated  found  their  most  interesting  society 
in  tie  public  houses,  and  among   the   women   whose 
free  lives  sharpened  their  intellects  by  association  with 
men.     With  thenr  the  saloon   played  an   important 
part;  claimed,  indeed,  by  some  philosophers,  to  have 
been  the  only  institution,  by   which   man  has  been 
kept  from  isolation.    However  that  may  be,  whaicver 
the  vices,  or  imperfections,  of  the  modern   saloon,  it 
is  evident  that  it  is  an  institution  that  can  only  be  torn 
i!p  with  the  roots  of  society     As  many  saloons  can 
be  counted  as  of  other  establishments  which  furnish 
the  necessaries   of  life,  and   infinitely  handsomer   in 
style.    The  proprietors  become  acquainted  with  every 
neighbor,  know  the  nature  of  their   thoughts,   their 
business  and  private  affairs,  as  they  are  from  time  to 
time  discussed  over  the  glass  of  beer  or  spirits.      He 
becomes  the  man  of  confidence  for  the  neighborhood 
and  thus  the  means  of  working   and  influencing  the 
ward  politically  in  whatever  interest  may  be  his  inter- 
est.    His  decision  places  the  President  in  power,  and 
the  judge  upon  the  sacred  seat  of  the  blind    and    im- 
partial goddess  of  Justice.     It   can    open   the    prison 
doors  to  the  wealthy  criminals,  or  divide  the  treasure 
pf  the  people  among  the   intellectual  schemers   and 
26 


'■^^liKSi^SiiK^ 


I- 


!)■ 


202 


"THE  BROTHER." 


tti'y'  U  : 


I't 


rogues.  Possibly  the  tendency  of  competition,  com- 
bination and  concentration,  in  all  forms  of  business 
operations,  may,  as  it  undoubtedly  will,  soon  reach 
the  saloon.  The  distributed  expense  economized,  and 
their  present  elegance,  will  give  place  ',0  fa  greater 
luxury,  multiplied  attractions  and  conveniences. 
Such  an  evolution  wo'..id  increase  the  contrast  with 
the  wretched  tenement,  gradually  driving  men, 
women  and  children,  to  enjoy  the  millionaire  saloons 
and  gardens  with  their  profusion  of  music,  paintings 
and  statues.  Under  such  open  public  conditions,  it 
is  probablo  that,  if  society  survives  at  all,  manners 
would  improve.  The  changed  conditions  caused  by- 
concentration,  is  the  hope  of  the  Socialist,  who  fondly 
dreams  of  the  abolition  c '  all  misery  and  wickedness, 
by  the  people  taking  and  using  every  useful  institu- 
tion for  themselves. 

"As  my  friend,  'The  Brother,'  exchanged  civilities 
with  his  friends  in  front  of  the  bar,  inquiring  for  some 
of  the  brotherhood,  the  oft  repeated  invitation  to'  take 
another  with  me  '  was  avoided,  as  I  stood  alone  look- 
ing at  the  numerous  portraits  of  the  leadiiig  politi- 
cians, pugilists,  horse  races,  boat  scullers,  pretty 
women,  fighting  dogs  and  the  mysterious  machine; 
while  my  thoughts  on  society  pumped  the  blood  into 
my  busy  brain  till  the  pressure  was  painful.  At  the 
door,  I  was  introduced  to  the  pugilist  proprietor,  who 
informed  'The  Brother'  that,  at  his  order  to  the  au- 
thorities, Barney  was  to  go  on  the  police  force  in  the 
morning;  an  announcement  that  brought  to  my  mind 
the  distinguishing  characteristic  of  our   exalted    sys- 


"THE  BROTHER. 


203 


etition,  com- 
of  business 
soon    reach 

lomized,  and 

0  fa  greater 
onvenJences. 
ontrast  with 
Iriving  men, 
naire  saloons 
ic,  paintings 
:onditions,  it 
all,  manners 
ns  caused  by 
t,  who  fondly 

1  wickedness, 
iseful  institu- 

ged  civilities 
ing  for  some 
ation  to'  take 
i  alone  look- 
idiiig  politi- 
lUers,  pretty 
us  machine; 
e  blood  into 
ful.  At  the 
jprietor,  who 
r  to  the  au- 
force  in  the 
t  to  my  mind 
jxalted    sys- 


tem of  government,  the  club;  the  club,  the  sword 
or  the  bayonet,  in  the  hands  of  the  most  ignorant 
and  brutal  of  society,  whose  only  idea  of  government 
is  the  splitting  of  heads  and  murder. 

"An  aged  German,  whose  only  comfort  was  a  dirty 
pipe  which  he  held  in  his  teeth,  exposed  the  naked 
stump  left  from  an  amputated  hand  to  excite  sympa- 
thy to  induce  the  purchase  of  a  few  pencils.  A  tough 
hustled  away  this  objectionable  and  yielding  object 
from  the  saloon  door,  rudely  informing  him  that  he 
did  not  want  to  buy  either  his  pencils  or  his  hand. 
Another  begging  tramp  was  scolded  as  a  big,  lazy 
banana  who  would  not  work  if  he  had  it.  His  only 
reply  was  to  show  him  the  job  and  see  if  he  would 
not.  And  so  the  stream  kept  coming  and  going  with- 
out end,  continually  furnishing  new  food  for  reflection 
on  t^f"  horrors  of  man's  condition  and  the  injustice  of 
the  monopoly  by  a  few  of  all  production  and  the  forces 
of  production  for  the  gratification  only  of  an  insane 
greed,  that  sends  humanity  to  despair  and  death,  eats 
outof  the  monopolist's  heart  every  trace  of  human 
feeling  and  virtue,  bringing  to  him  and  his  posterity 
the  curse  that  has  followed  every  pursuit  of  the  mind 
except  that  of  wisdom  and  goodness. 

"The  merchants  desecrated  this  holy  Sabbath 
evening,  on  the  corners  and  along  the  pavements,  by 
their  stands,  where  salt  clams,  lobster,  vinegar 
pickles,  hot  sausages,  rolls,  coffee  and  cigars,  were 
disposed  of  to  correct  the  influence  of  excessive  beer 
on  their  stomachs.  The  fruit  merchant  was,  of  course, 
ever  at  his  post;  indeed,  he  never    goes   to   bed,  but 


I'K^asa 


fmmmmmmKmmmm 


204 


"THE  BROTHER." 


I 


sits  watching  his  wares  through  the  season»,  relieved 
by  someone  for  a  few  hours  of  sleep  in  the  day.  Al- 
though it  was  well  into  the  *wee  sma  hours'  of  the 
morning,  business  was  brisk  with  these  merchants, 
whose  only  fear  of  absorbtion  by  monopoly  consisted 
in  the  small  competition  amongst  themselves  for  the 
few  dimes  that  would  supply  them  stock  and  bring 
the  treasure  of  a  cot  in  the  lodging  house. 

•'Some  conversation  with  a  'brother' who  was  stand- 
ing at  a  lamp  post,  evidently  on  picket  duty  for  the 
game  of  poker  that  was  quietly  going  on  within,  sep- 
arated only  from  public  view  by  the  layers  of  glaring 
show  bills  of  the  play  called,  'After  Dark,'  that  rend- 
ered the  scene,  embellished  by  Tom  lying  drunk  in  a 
corner,  as  apparently  dark  from  without  as  Halloway 
Kirk  at  the  moment  when  Tarn  O'Shanter  spoke  the 
fatal  word. 

" '  My  friend,'  I  said,  'you  could  wield  a  great  pow- 
er over  these  men  for  their  control  under  a  great  ris- 
ing or  upheaval  of  society,  if  you  chose.' 

"'No,' said  he,  'I  would  not  speak  a  word,  they 
could  goon  and  revenge  themselves  for  the  injustice 
society  has  done  them  and  their  ancestors.  I  use  my 
abilities  only  to  instruct  even  the  lowest  in  the  cause 
of  social  injustice,  and  never  lose  an  opportunity  to 
breed  in  their  minds  discontent.  It  is  the  same  when 
I  can  get  hold  of  an  intellectual  man  who  will  expose 
it.  And  by  thus  spreading  discontentment,  I  will 
finally  revenge  myself  on  society  for  the  injustice  I 
have  suffered  from  childhood.' 

"Worn  out  by  fatigue,  sickened  by  the  stench   of 


asons,  relieved 
the  day.  AI- 
hours'  of  the 
se  merchants, 
ipoly  consisted 
iselves  for  the 
>ck  and  bring 
ise. 

A'ho  was  stand- 
It  duty  for  the 
)n  within,  sep- 
yers  of  glaring 
irk,'  that  rend- 
'ing  drunk  in  a 
at  as  Halloway 
Iter   spoke  the 

d  a  great  pow- 
Jer  a  great  ris- 
e." 

c  a  word,  they 
ar  the  injustice 
tors.  I  use  my 
:st  in  the  cause 
opportunity  to 
the  same  when 
'ho  will  expose 
ntment,  I  will 
the   injustice  I 

the  stench   of 


'THE  BROTHER. 


20S 


the  Chinese  quarter  and  other  choice  cholera  gardens 
that  lie  within  the  shadow  of  the  halls  of  Justice  and 
the  sublime  palaces  of  the  New  York  dailies,  we  sep- 
arated for  the  night.  I  wandered  to  the  more  elegant 
part  of  the  city,  passing  the  palatial  saloons  and  pri- 
vate retreats  where,  at  that  late  hour,  the  sleepy 
coachmen  and  elegant  equipages  awaited  the  wealthy 
sinners,  who,  heavily  veiled,  slipped  quickly  into  the 
closed  vehicles  and  were  driven  rapidly  away." 

The  pen  of  the  historian  paused  for  a  moment  but 
the  spirit  of  Edward  Pureheart  did  not  move.  In  a 
short  time  the  pen  began  to  move  again  slowly  and 
wrote:  "Have  you  had  enough.'"  "No,"  replied  the 
historian  aloud.  "It  is  horrible,  but  go  on."  The 
halo  of  light  flickered  again  and  went  out  altogether. 
Stygian  darkness  succeeded  the  faint  light  that  made 
the  writing  on  the  paper  visible.  Comus  laid  his 
hand  upon  the  historian's  head,  remaining  motionless. 
A  period  of  silence  ensued.  A  faint  light  began  to 
appear  that  gradually  increased  in  intensity,  reveal- 
ing the  spirit  figure  standing  erect  with  arms  folded 
in  an  impressive,  commanding  attitude. 

In  a  short  time  the  pen  began  to  move,  the  first 
words  imperatively  commanding  absolute  silence. 
Then  the  recital  continued  as  follows. 


.*"•**■■ 


i-  4«C.» 


CHAPTER  XV. 


MENDICANTS  AND  ADULTERATIONS. 


"The  morning  was  fresh  and  beautiful.  Its  enchant- 
ment was  heightened  by  the  pleasure  of  a  walk  with 
Victoria  and  her  mother  whom  I  accompanied  on  an 
errand  of  mercy  to  the  burnt  tenement  district.  The 
sadness  of  the  sequel  to  that  tragedy  among  the  poor 
people,  powerful  as  it  was  upon  the  emotions,  was 
more  than  compensated  by  the  joy  I  felt  in  the  com- 
pany of  the  charming  and  noble  woman  who  had  en- 
tire possession  of  my  heart.  She  had  naturally  taken 
to  observing  the  incidents  of  social  life  and  reas-^ning 
upon  its  defects,  so  that  our  thoughts  were  running 
in  the  same  groove  upon  this  subject,  my  attention 
often  being  called  to  points  within  the  sphere  only  of 
woman's  keen  observation.  We  passed  along  the 
street  viewing  the  rich  displays  of  elegant  goods  en- 
tirely devoted  to  luxury,  and  the  endless,  giddy 
throng  of  people  engaged  in  purchasing  or  promen- 
ading. A  number  of  toilers  were  excavating  the 
street,  laying  the  cables  and  electric  wires,  that  were, 
by  the  mighty  genius  and  skill  of  Edison,  to  give  the 
city  light  in  the  darkness  of  night,    and    to   conduct 


•^iiSimUtmmmm^iMfiii^rsm^nimaism  ■ 


,mf»*' 


'ist.' 


ONS. 

Its  enchant- 
r  a  walk  with 
panied  on  an 
Jistrict.  The 
long  the  poor 
motions,  was 
t  in  the  com- 
who  had  en- 
iturally  taken 
,nd  reas-^ning 
vere  running 
my  attention 
phere  only  of 
d  along  the 
nt  goods  en- 
dless, giddy 
',  or  promen- 
cavating  the 
es,  that  were, 
n,  to  give  the 
to   conduct 


•THK,  BKOTHER. 


207 


Intelligence  at  the  speed  of  lightning,  instantly  in- 
forming the  distant  of  the  demand  and  supply  in  trade, 
the  result  of  the  races,  the  fluctuations  of  the  stock 
market,  the  engagements  of  the  courtezan  and  reports 
of  sermons.  A  poor  blind  man  was  singing  on  the 
street,  accompanying  himself  with  an  accordeon,  ex- 
erting his  best  effort  to  please  the  paescrs-by,  with  a 
voice  that,  judging  from  its  quality,  might  once  have 
been  listeneu  to  in  rapture  by  worshippers  of  the  vo- 
cal art.  Two  giddy,  young  girls  were  passing  by; 
unsympathetic  training  of  their  virgin  lives  to  scenes 
of  misery  and  want,  had  rendered  the  upturned,  sight- 
less eyeballs  of  the  poor  singer  for  pennies,  a  matter 
of  great  amusement  to  them,  bringing  happy  smiles 
and  laughter  to  their  pretty  faces,  as  they  imitated 
and  mimicked,  with  their  sweet  voices,  the  i;ong  of 
the  mendicant. 

"We  stopped  in  front  of  a  group  of  fatigued,  sooty 
artisans,  who  wer»  working  at  a  portable  forge,  weld- 
ing the  rivets  of  the  iron  cases  containing  the  under- 
ground wires  of  the  monopolized  electric  light,  tele- 
graph and  telephone.  Their  strong  muscles  and 
hardened  features  contrasted  strangely  with  the  soft 
bodies,  weak  gait  and  insipid  expression,  of  the  lux- 
urious army  of  idlers  who  passed  in  an  endless  stream 
always  going  on  and  on,  apparently  without  object, 
without  motive,  disappearing  from  view  one  after  an- 
other forgotten  in  a  moment,  while  others  followed, 
pressing  listlessly  on  to  be  ever  and  ever  succeeded 
by  endless  streams,  passing,  no  one  knows  whither. 
"A  gilded  statue  of  John  of  Bologna's  divine  master- 


,>~-<«VM 


m-kMmrmm'i^mfi'i^i 


ISmtMff^'^^,:::, 


m» 


►••THK  BROTHER." 


.1  ■». 


li 


piece  of  art.  The  flying  mercury,  newly  lighted  upon 
a  'heaven  rising  hill/  reached  out  towards  us  on  the 
sidewalk,  but  not  with  the  winged  and  serpentine  ca- 
duceus,  the  wand  of  the  god  of  commerce  and  lying. 
This  was  replaced  by  a  bottle  of  quack  medicine,  or 
some  mixture,  to  preserve  the  exquisites  from  wrinkles 
and  decay,  or  relieve  the  pains  of  dyspepsia  produced 
by  inaction.  After  musing  a  while  upon  the  mutabil- 
ity of  things,  and  to  what  base  uses  we  may  come  at 
last,  we  began  to  observe  again  the  goods  in  the 
grand  bazaars  and  to  more  closely  inspect  their  qual- 
ities. It  was  evident  that  the  vice  of  adulteration  had 
entered  into  every  species  of  luxurious  merchandise. 
Silks  were  cottoned  and  gunned;  woolens  were  atten- 
uated with  artfully  manipulated  shoddy;  ewelry  was 
plated  and  filled,  and  genuine  diamontis  made  of 
strass.  Large  sheets  of  plate  glass  gave  polish  and 
attractive  lustre  to  the  goods,  enhancing  their  ap- 
pearance. These  unperceived  plates,  like  the  song  of 
the  siren,  lured  the  purchasers  to  part  with  their  gold 
for  the  ever  increasing  adulterations  caused  by  com- 
petition. But  these  glassy  mediums  were  of  them- 
selves grand  efforts  of  skill,  produced  by  the  poorly 
paid  labor  in  the  coal,  lead  and  salt  mines,  and  the 
'4K>da  works,  i.i  the  vast  glass  works  of  France,  Ger- 
many, Belgium,  England  and  the  Un'ted  Statts, 
where  crowds  of  men  and  boys  sweat  over  the  in- 
tensely heated  furnaces,  and  blow,  spin,  press  and 
cast  the  vitreous  flux  into  every  species  of  utilitarian 
or  luxurious  articles;  their  diseased  faces,  and  eyes  in- 
flamed and  ulcerated  by  the   constant   radiation   of 


k 


1  i: 


y  lighted  upon 
rdf  us  on  the 
serpentine  ca- 
erce  and  lying, 
k  medicine,  or 
s  from  wrinkles 
cpsia  produced 
an  the  mutabil- 

may  come    at 

goods  in  the 
pect  their  qual- 
ultcration  had 

merchandise, 
ens  were  attcn- 
i\  ewelry  was 
onc!s  made  of 
ive  polish  and 
:ing  their  ap- 
like  the  song  of 
with  their  gold 
aused  by  com- 
vere  of  them  ■ 
by  the  poorly 
lines,  and  the 
"  France,  Ger- 
Unittd  Stalt.s, 

over  the  in- 
)in,  press  and 
s  of  utilitarian 
s,  and  eyes  in- 
t    radiation    of 


■',-1 


•THK  HROTHER. 


309 


heated  glass,  present  a  painful  aspect,  as  they  work 
at  the  furnaces  gathering  ihc  glais  on  their  rods  to 
be  blown,  or  pressed  into  cheap  articles  for  the  poor, 
or  spin  the  luxurious  vases  for  the  table  or  parlor  of 
the  rich,  embellished  with  eng'-^.ved  ornaments  of  .  - 
tistic  groups  of  athletic  Greeks — who  have  transm«t 
ted  thair  pliysical  and  mental  qualities  as  models  to 
our  enfeebled  age;  who  have  left  their  art  and  litera- 
ture to  an  unappreciative  world  of  speculative  nabob» 
and  self-degraded  industrial  slaves.  Bad  laws,  cunning- 
ly established,  little  by  little,  as  the  people  become  ac- 
customed to  them,  for  the  bcr.^f',  ol  the  wealthy  rob- 
ber class,  by  able  men  who  aspire  to  riches,  are  not 
alone  the  cause  of  deterioration  in  the  quality  of 
goods.  The  deceptions  practiced  upon  the  public 
are  rather  the  result  of  a  desperate  competition  aris- 
ing from  the  necessity  to  force  goods  upon  a  people 
whose  purchasing  power  is  ever  becoming  less,  as 
wealth  is  absorbed  and  concentrated  in  the  hands 
of  a  few.  The  manufacturer  or  merchant  is  not  re- 
sponsible for  this  awful  vice;  it  is  the  result  of  defec 
tive  institutions  among  men.  Competition  and 
industry  may  be  considered  as  two  criminals  sen- 
tenced and  chained  together  until  both  are  dead.  It 
is  evident  that  one  criminal,  competition,  it.  already 
dead,  and  that  the  vain  struggles  to  galvanize  it  into 
life,  are  hopeless.  The  still  living  criminal,  industry, 
is  already  poisoned  by  the  decay  and  rottenness  of 
its  brother's  corpse  and  must  also  soon  yield  the 
bpat  of  its  feeble  pulse  to  the    same    cold    embrace." 


27 


»■■« 


I 


I, 
ft 


I: 


illli 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

,.-4 A        BROADWAY,  OONEY  AND  MY  HEIGHBOR'S 

DAUGHTER.  ?; 

"•The  Brother'  and  I  had  not  met  for  some  da  s 
or  rather  nig:hts,  for  it  was  usually  when  darkness, 
or  when  the  lesser  light  of  nature  ruled  the  night, 
that  each  others  society  was  mostly  sought. 

"We  met  this  night  at  Union  Square.  When  'The 
Brother' arrived,  I  was  observing  a  poorly  dressed 
woman,  wan  and  pale,  who  appeared  to  be  sadly 
worsted  in  the  struggle  to  maintain  a  presentable  ap- 
pearance. She  seemed  tired  and  hungry.  The  brill- 
iant electric  light  of  Broadway  fell  upon  her  upturned 
face  cutting  into  strong  relief  the  serious  lines,  which 
were  almost  as  solemn  as  death  in  tneir  expression. 
Looking  in  the  direction  of  her  steadfast  gaze,  I  ob- 
served an  enchanting  effect  of  light  and  illuminated 
shadow  upon  the  bronze  group  of  Charity  surrounded 
by  her  children,  as  she  stood  high  amongst  the  trans- 
parent green  of  the  branches  overhead,  tenderly  smil- 
ing upon  the  helpless,  innocent  babe  in  her  arms. 
Here  was  the  emblem  of  human  consideration  for 
one  another 'n  all  the  beauty  of  artificial  light  per- 
petuated in  imperishable  bronze,  at  which  the  defeat- 


hbor's 


r  some  da  s 
len  darkness, 
;d  the  night, 
ight. 

When  'The 
)orly  dressed 
to  be  sadly 
esentable  ap- 
y.  The  brill- 
her  upturned 
s  lines,  which 
r  expression. 
St  gaze,  I  ob- 
i  illuminated 
ty  surrounded 
gst  the  trans- 
[enderly  smil- 
in  her  arms, 
iideration  for 
al  light  per- 
ch the  defeat- 


-mwi^^ 


'THE  MOTHER. 


2II 


ed  in  the  struggle  to  exist  could  comfort  themselves 
w'th  a  look,  while  hunger  knawed  their  vitals  and  the 
sense  of  social  injustice  rankled  in  their  breasts. 

"The  catch-penny   weighing  machines,   that  had 
lately  obstructed  the  public  walks  in  the  Square,  had 
for  some  reason  or  other  h^.en  removed.  Feeling  tired 
we  looked  for  a  seat,  but  most  of  them  were  set   back 
on  the  lawns,    having    been    freshly    painted;    'The 
Brother'  apologized  for  the  park  officials   by   saying 
that  they  had  not  time  during  the  winter  to  paint  the 
seats,  when  no  one  wanted    to  sit   on  them,  so  they 
were  obliged  to  take  the  fine  summer  weather  for  this 
purpose.  On  one  of  the  occupied  seats  a  poor,  home- 
less, grey  haired    man  had    fallen  asleep,  sitting  up- 
right with  his  head  leaning  on  his  hand.  The  vigilant 
park  policeman  caught  sight  of  this  not  very   objec- 
tionable looking  object  and  tapping  him    sharply   on 
the  knee  with  his  club  ordered  him  off.  As  he  moved 
sadly   away,   my   friend  remarked.    'There    goes   a 
brother,  moved    on    for   the  crime   of  being  asleep. 
Poor  men!  where  will  they   go.?     If  they   sit   on   the 
steps,  or  take  the  doorways  to  sleep  or  rest  on,   they 
wil'  be  ordered  off  or,  perhaps,  arrested.     They  can 
escapeonlybybeingeternally  on  the  move.  Generally, 
they  aie  undisturbed  around  the  docks,  where  a   few 
moments  of  forgetful  slumber  can  often   be   had  with 
their  myriads  of  companions,  the  water  rats.  The  sa- 
loon is  the  only  place  on    earth  left   for   these   poor 
men;  but  they  cannot  benefit  from  its  inviting  luxur- 
ies if  they  have    no  money,    without  some   generous 
person  happens  to   contribute- a   nickel,    with    which 


212 


"THE  BROTHER." 


P'-odigal  sum  they  can  hold  shelter  for  a  short  time.' 
We  walked  around  to  the  fountain  for  a  drink;  the 
usual  spectacle  of  a  cup  was  present,  but  no  water. 
Several  men  were  there  discussin',  the  New  York 
drinking  fountain  question.  From  them  1  learned 
that  th€re  was  scarcely  a  drinking  fountain  in  the  city 
where  vater  could  be  had  except  at  the  Battery  and 
Central  Park.  Either  the  cups  are  gone  or  there  is 
no  water.  'The  Brother'  assured  me  that  the  saloon 
keepr^rs  remove  the  cups,  or  damage  the  water-flow 
i;>  ^r  •  ay,  3o  as  to  force  passengers  to  g^o  into 
their  places  and  purchase  beer  or  soda;  that  this,  to- 
gether with  the  indifference  of  our  political  m&uhmv. 
officials,  leaves  the  entire  population  of  the  metropolis 
practically  without  a  drink  of  water  on  the  streets. 
"Our  walk  Led  us  past  the  regal  saloon  of  one  of 
the  political  factors  of  the  city,  who  had  spent  lour 
years  in  the  Auburn  Penitentiary  for  the  murcer  vl 
Jim  Fiske,  'The  Brother'  refused  an  invitaticn  to 
step  inside  and  view  the  wealthy  loungers  and  curi- 
osity seekers  who  frequent  this  famous  model  of  what 
the  saloon  may  become  in  its  highest  ideal  of  splen- 
dor; theworlc''  f^amous paintings  ofsat>rs  and  floating 
nymphs,  of  1  ;t^??t,';  beauties  whose  exposed  charms 
ravished  tl  ?  .n  ;  s«  ".iv  their  loveliness,  had  no  longer 
charm  for  himv  ""'  elegant  crowd  that  moved  along 
the  sidewalk  towards  the  theatres  and  places  of 
amusement,  were  illuminated  by  the  brilliant  incan- 
descent lights  that  shone  from  among  the  rich  goods 
in  the  windows  of  the  bazaars.  Many  attracted  by 
the  jewels  and  rich  wares,  stopped  a  moment  to  look 


"THK  BROTHER. 


213 


a  short  time.' 
r  a  drink;  the 
ut  no  water, 
e  New  York 
em  1  learned 
:ainin  the  city 
:  Battery  and 
e  or  there  is 
lat  the  saloon 
le  water-flow 
s   to   g^o    into 

that  this,  to- 
tical  mat.hinc 
uhe  metropolis 
1  the  streets, 
lon  of  one  of 
id  spent  lour 
lie    murcer    vl 

invitatic  n  lo 
jers  and  curi- 
[nodel  of  what 
leal  of  spien- 
rs  and  floating 
aosed  charms 
lad  no  longer 
;  moved  along 
nd  places  of 
illiant  incan- 
he  rich  goods 

attracted  by 
oment  to  look 


at  them  or  purchase.      The   flower   girls   w«re   busy 
selling  choice  boquets  for  the  coat  lapel,  or  the  bos- 
oms of  fair  ones.     A  short  distance  ahead  I  observed 
the  graceful  figure  of  Ooney,  the  heroine  of  the  tene- 
ment fire,  which  the  eagle  eye  of 'The    Brother'  de- 
tected before  me.     A  fine  looking  gentleman  passed, 
cautiously  touching  her  dress,   whom    she  followed 
down  the  next  side  street  and  was  lost  to  view, 
"'Do  you  know  who  that  is,'   said    'The    Brother.' 
'•'  No,'  I  replied. 
•"Give  me  your  honor,'  said  he. 
"■I  extended  my  hand  and  he  whiskered  in  my  ear. 
'•'Impossible!' I  exclaimed. 
'"I  sv/ear  it!' he  replied. 
t'  I  looked  at  him  aghast. 
"Several  minutes  elapsed  as  we  walked  on  in  silence. 
.Suddenly  raising  his  head,  which  had  been  bow-d  in 
thought,  and  fixing  on  me   his  dark,    searching   eyes 
that  wore  no  pleasant  expression  at  that  moment,  he 
said:  'Ooney's  mother  is  dead,  but  she  doesn't  know 
it,  and  I  would  not  tell  her.     We    thought   she   had 
chang-d  for  the  better;  Ooney  had  secured  her  a  new 
bed.  paying  for  it  in   installments.     It  was  put  up   in 
the  corner  of  a  kitchen,  opposite  the  burnt  tenements, 
where  the  neighbors  were    kind  to  her,  but  the    old 
woman  stretched  out  about  an  hour  ago.  Poor  Ooney 
will  take  it  hard  and  I  fear  the  worst,  for  her   crimes 
are  only  for  her  mother  s  sake.' 

"A  lump  rose  in  'The  Brother's'  throat  that  almost 
choked  his  last  utterance,  greatly  to  my  surprise;  f(^r 
I  could  scarcely  .suspect  fhis  stony  victim  c'  society 


214 


'THE  BROTHEK." 


If 


i' 


hi 


possessed  of  emotion.  He  turned  his  head  towards 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  as  though  something 
attracted  his  attention;  his  chest  labored  heavily  and 
his  whole  frame  trembled  as  with  clenched  teeth  he 
endeavored  to  control  himself. 

'"I  am  a  moral  man,'  said  he,  'when  you  consider 
the  temptations  wiih  which  I  have  been  surrounded 
from  infancy.  It  is  a  wonder  to  myself  that  I  am  not 
a  deep  dyed,  heartless  villain.  I  realize  the  fact  that 
there  is  no  benefit  in  sin  to  myself  and  I  do  not  prac- 
tice it.  Although  I  am  conscious  of  it  in  my  friends, 
I  am  at  a  possible  something  higher;  hence  my  incli- 
nation to  study.  I  care  not  for  death; it  is  more  cour- 
ageous to  live  than  to  die.  A  few  drops  won  a  piec^ 
of  sugar  and  all  would  be  at  rest  I  know  how  to 
make  all  poisons  and  destructive  thing.«;,  but  1  live 
merely  out  of  curiosity,  for  I  know  that  this  state  of 
society  cannot  last  more  than  ten  years  and  I  want  to 
see  how  it  will  turn  out.' 

"Wishing  to  divert  his  mind  from  sad  reflections,  I 
informed  him  that  I  had  concluded  to  join  the  Nation- 
alist Colony,  then  forming,  to  settle  on  the  Pacific 
slope;  and  that  I  intended  to  go  with  the  first  who 
went  as  pioneers,  happy  in  the  thought  of  escaping 
from  the  horrors  of  the  metropolis  that  was  fast  giv- 
ing my  mind  a  misanthropic  tendency.  And  pressed 
him  warmly  to  join  us,  believing  that  he,  too,  would 
benefit  by  the  change  of  scene  and  circumstances. 

'"No,  thanks,' he  replied.  'I  will  not  go;  here  I 
was  born,  here  I  have  been  bred,  a  gamin  in  the 
gutters  since  seven  years  of  age,   without  a  home. 


'THE  BROTHER. 


215 


head  towards 
Lagh  something 
-ed  heavily  and 
ched   teeth  he 

I  you  consider 
en  surrounded 
f  that  I  am  not 
ze  the  fact  that 
i  I  do  notprac- 

in  my  friends, 
lence  my  incli- 
t  is  more  cour- 
ts mot)    a   piec? 

know  how  to 
ngs,  but  I  live 
t  this  state  of 
s  and  I  want  to 

id  reflections,  I 
oin  the  Nation- 
Dn    the   Pacific 

the  first  who 
ht  of  escaping 
t  was  fast  giv- 
.  And  pressed 
he,  too,  would 
cumstances. 
not  go;  here   I 

gamin  in  the 
thout  a  home. 


without  a  friend.  This  is  my  home;  I  will  not  leave 
it.  It  is  rny  right  to  remain  as  much  as  the  million- 
aire, and  I  will  not  go.  If  I  cannot  survive  with  the 
strongest,  perhaps  I  can  with  the  weakest.  I  owe 
society  nothing  but  revenge  for  my  blighted  life;  for 
I  know  I  am  mentally,  morally  and  physically  supe- 
rior to  the  privileged  who,  by  this  accursed  system, 
can  work  me  and  my  class  to  the  death  line,  who  are 
one  and  all  responsible  for  even  poor  Ooney's  crimes 
and  the  victims  of  the  tenements.  I  desire  no  violence, 
but  will  stay  here  eternally  devoting  my  life  to  breed 
discontent,  and  if  society  cannot  be  reformed  and  jus- 
tice done,  I  am  willing  to  go  down  with  it  in  a  carni- 
val of  blood.' 

"As  he  spoke,  his  whole  soul  was  roused  witli  aw- 
ful earnestness.  Demosthenes  would  have  envied  his 
eloquence.  I  was  truly  impressed  with  the  force  of 
his  statement.  This  then  is  the  tnought  and  feeling  of 
the  down-trodden  masses;  and  I  suppose,  'to  this 
complexion  must  it  come  at  last.' 

'"See  here,'  suddenly  said  'The  Brother,'  drawing 
me  to  a  show  case  containing  photographs  of  beauti- 
ful women,  and  pointing  to  one  perfect  model  of  phys 
ical  beauty,  whose  ba/e  arms  and  bust,  riv!»'!:.ig  in 
grandeur  the  Venus  de  Milo,  were  delicately  massed 
with  the  rich  white  silks  that  composed  her  tasteful, 
evening  dress;  'Do  you  see  that  lady.'  That  is  one 
of  the  new  arrivals  at  Madam  Black's,  at  the  Park.' 
I  looked  into  the  fine  features  of  a  face  of  remarkable 
expression,  that,  once  seen,  could  never  be  forgotten. 
My  heart  gave  a  leap — it  was  my  neighbor's  daughter. 


^jssaMffi 


'^S^' 


ft 


3l6 


"THE  BROTHER." 


The  memory  of  her  innocent  childhood  and  girlhood 
as  she  played  so  merrily,  a  favorite  with  us  all;  her 
development  into  womanhood,  which  we  watched 
with  so  much  pleasure;  the  happy  evenings  spent 
mth  us  at  our  country  home,  when  music  and  dance 
lent  their  joyful  influence  to  the  social  hours  \*ith 
kind  neighbors.  Alas  I  the  procuress  had  in  due 
time  heard  of  the  favorite  of  our  neighborhood,  and 
with  serpent  arts  had  enticed  her  away  from  the  sim- 
ple home,  where  horny  handed  toil  had  guarded  her 
tender  age  and  happy,  happy  childhood,  to  the  g.'it- 
tering  palace  of  splendid  vice.  Celia  was  now  in  a 
delirious  but  brief  whirl  of  intoxicating  bliss. 

"I  recalled  the  aged  father,  whose  partner  in  life 
had,  dying,  left  him  this,  his  youngest  treasure, 
his  bowed  head,  in  silent,  unutterable,  inconsolable 
gnef  at  the  loss  of  his  daughter;  a  grief  kind  neigh- 
bors viewed  with  awe,  not  daring  to  offer  consolation 
that  would  be  vain.  I  recalled  the  shame  of  her  sis- 
ters, who,  av  Mding  society,  devoted  themselves  only 
to  the  blighted  fat)  ;r  who  soon  would  be  at  peace. 
With  weaitly  bloods,  amid  luxurious  surroundings, 
folly  and  tl  e  revels  went  on  with  sweet  Celia,  to  end 
as  they  all  end,  in  the  lower  ^nd  lower  brothel,  in 
drunkenness  and  the  outcast's  grave  at  the  docks. 

'•"  And  so  it  goes  on,'  said  'The  Brother,'  'from 
high  to  low,  from  Park  Place  to  the  slums,  where  girls 
oftwelve  and  fourteen  are  sold  at  from  five  to  ten 
dollars  apiece.' 

"'impossible ! '  I  exclaim.^d. 

"'I  can  .swear  it,'  said  he.    And  if  you  will  go  with 


1  and  girlhood 
h  us  all;  her 
,  we  watched 
venings  spent 
sic  and  dance 
al  hours  \vith 
s  had  in  due 
hborhood,  and 

from  the  sim- 
1  guarded  her 
d,  to  the  g.'it- 
was  now  in  a 
i:  bliss. 

partner  in  life 
gest  treasure, 
,  inconsolable 
f  kind  neigh- 
fer  consolation 
me  of  her  sis- 
smselves   only 

be   at   peace. 

surroundings, 
t  Celia,  to  end 
er  brothel,    in 

the  docks. 
Irother,'   'from 
as,  where  girls 
n   five   to   ten 


)u  will  go  with 


THE  BROTHER. 


217 


me,  I  will    prove    it    by    the    parties    themselves.' 
" '  Who  are  the    parties   who   commit   such    awful 
crimes .''  I  asked. 

'" Who  are  they !  who  are  they ! '  he  replied,  'I'll 
tell  you  who  thty  are,  mostly — men  who  are  out  of 
work;  that's  who  they  are!' 

"This  awful  fact  was  subsequently  added  to  my  view 
of  the  glories  of  christian  civilization,  whose  cities 
decorated  with  graceful,  fretted  spires  pointing 
heaven-ward  to  the  hope  of  virtue,  and  joyful  chimes 
ring  out  the  glad  tidings  of  'peace  on  earth  and  good 
will  towards  men." 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


NOTE.S    IN  PASSING. 


"The  wtirld  of  society  had  not  yet  risen;  although 
the  birds  had  given  their  morning  concert,  ceased 
feeding  their  young  and  were  resting  until  noon.  The 
needy  world,  however,  was  wide  awake,  and  the  seats 
in  the  small,  but  handsomely  shaded,  park,  were  filled 
by  men,  boys  and  girls,  eagerly  scanning  the  'wants' 
/n  the  morning  papers,  for  a  possible  job;  while  a 
crowd  was  reading  the  advertisements  charitably 
posted  on  the  bulletin  board,  by  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association,  for  those  unable  to  purchase  a 
nev'spaper.  On  the  sidewalk,  a  bare-headed  whistler 
of  alien  race  accompanied  himself  with  a  harp.  Far- 
28 


.i,'^*"*' 


2l8 


"THE,  BROTHER." 


fr' 


ther  down,  a  German  street  band  was  playing,  for  a 
few  pennies,  the  waltzes  and  airs  of  the  F"ather-land. 
In  a  basement  door-way,  a  handsome,  well  dressed, 
respectable  looking,  young  man,  apparently  about 
thirty  years  of  age,  who,  thinking  himself  free  from 
observation,  hastily  picked  some  pieces  of  bread  out 
of  a  slop  barrel,  which  he  concealed  beneath  his  coat 
and  rapidly  walked  away.  Well-to-do  people  passed 
by  the  numberless  mendicants  with  a  look  of  uncon- 
cern, having  necessarily  become  indifferent  to  the 
ever  present  cry  of  suffering  humanity,  which  they 
cannot  help,  honestly  lifting  their  hearts  in  thankful- 
ness to  Almighty  God  for  his  goodness  in  not  making 
them  as  one  of  these  unfortunates.  And  so  goes  the 
morning  world.  The  high  priest  passes  the  unfortu- 
nate by  with  lofty  mien,  considering  him  a  sinner. 
The  Levite  considers  him  a  foo^  for  being  unfortunate. 
But  the  Samaritan  regards  him  as  a  man,  and  as  such 
requires  his  sympathy.     Here  is  the  christian  ideal. 

"At  the  corner  of  the  street  a  number  of  men. 
women  and  children,  awaited  the  opening  of  the 
Charity  Hospital.  Inflamed  and  ulcerated  eyes  pro- 
claimed the  curse  of  transmitted  disease,  visited  upon 
the  children  of  men  to  the  third  and  fourth  genera- 
tion. The  fame  of  the  scientists  within  became  great- 
er and  greater  as  their  skill  was  more  profoundly 
displayed  in  manipulating  the  complexities  of  diseases 
that  multiplied  to  infinity  by  the  still  greater  com- 
plexities of  the  social  state  of  these  victims. 

"Visible  through  an  open  window  opposite  was  one 
of  those  human  beings  who  only  follow  a  happy  des- 


ii 


•i'tf,  ■,;     ,. 


'THE  BROTHER. 


219 


playing,  for  a 
Father-land, 
well  dressed, 
arently  about 
self  free  from 
of  bread  out 
neath  his  coat 
people  passed 
)ok  of  uncon- 
fferent  to  the 
,  which  they 
s  in  thankful- 
in  not  making 
id  so  goes  the 
s  the  unfortu- 
lim  a  sinner. 
g  unfortunate, 
n,  and  as  such 
istian  ideal, 
iber  of  men, 
ening  of  the 
:ed  eyes  pro- 
.  visited  upon 
urth  genera- 
>ecame  great- 
e  profoundly 
ies  of  diseases 
greater  com- 
ims. 

osite  was  one 
a  happy  des- 


tiny, whose  wealth,  moth  or  rust,  cannot  corrupt,  or 
jobbers,  speculators  and  monopolists,  break  through 
and  steal;  one  of  those  whose  f)aths  are;^^  paths  of  peace, 
whose  life  is  worthy  and  memory  blessed.  Within  a 
large  room,  surrounded  with  instruments  for  micro- 
scopic, or  chemical,  study,  appliances  for  dividing, 
analysing  and  recombining  the  elements,  that  were 
symbolized  by  letters  and  numbers,  covering  the  en- 
tire walls,  stood  the  professor  addressing  the  youth 
upon  whom  civilization  builds  its  only  hope.  A  divine 
light  shone  from  his  quick  eyes  and  nervous  face  as 
he  explained  and  illustrated  the  wonders  of  Carbon 
and  Oxygen  to  the  enchanted  boys,  who  breathed 
quickly  as  they  became  more  and  more  rapt  in  the 
splendors  of  science,  which  obliterated  for  the  mo- 
ment every  other  thouj;ht  and  made  every  tumultuous 
passion  cease.  Faster  ;i  nd  faster  spoke  the  inspired 
professor,  as  deeper  and  eeper  he  delved  into  the 
marvels  of  his  theme !  Faster  and  faster  beat  the 
young  hearts  as  new  worlds  of  life  and  thought  and 
beauty,  were  opened  to  their  vision !  Unconsciously 
the  professor  labored,  carried  away  into  the  empyrean 
realms  of  nature  to  nature's  god,  wiping  occasionally 
the  beads  of  perspiration  that  the  excited  and  heated 
brain  caused  to  stand  upon  his  brow!  On,  on,  imag- 
ination sped  until,  with  wings  of  Ught  it  almost  light- 
ed itself  from  the  earth  of  scientific  fact  and  fled  into 
the  region  of  the  ideal !  The  pnv.g  sounded,  startling 
all  from  their  enchantment,  and  the  boys  marched 
thoughtfully  to  another  room  to  hear  the  AUadin 
story  of  a  scientifiic  worker  in  the  bleak  regions  of 
Arctic  ice. 


■f*tm 


220 


'THE  BROTHER. 


1* 


"In  front  of  a  hotel  a  boy  of  fourteen  sat  upon  an 
Ice  cream  wagon;  his  wondering,  upturned  face  re- 
garding the  splendor  of  the  weU  fed,  elegantly  attired, 
luxurious  guests,  as  they  appeared  at  the  doors  and 
windows  smoking  expensive  Havanas,  or  chatting 
pleasantly  with  beautiful  women  dressed  in  morning 
wrappers  of  fine  linnen  and  lace.  His  poor,  but  re- 
spectable, clothing  covered  a  body  delicately  formed 
and  his  attitude  indicated  the  fatigue  of  the  night's 
work  preparing  in  the  cold  basement  of  a  gigantic 
establishment  the  frozen  cream  that  was  to  relieve 
the  fever  of  over-feeding,  idleness,  or  dissipation, 
from  the  soft  throats  and  stomachs  of  the  favorites  of 
fortune.  Long  he  looked  upon  this  world  of  elegance 
to  which  he  could  never  hoi^e  to  aspire,  till,  at  last, 
becoming  conscious  of  the  cold,  indifferent  gaze  of 
the  guests,  wiio  regarded  him  as  only  a  speck  upon 
their  vision,  a  necessary  object  created  to  hold  the 
reins  of  the  fine  team  of  greys  that  brought  the  morn- 
ing luxuries  to  their  favored  bodies.  He  dropped  his 
intelligent  eyes  and  turned  his  refined,  sad  face  away 
relieving  his  embarrassment  at  the  inferiority  of  his 
position,  by  a  pretense  of  fixing  the  cover  of  one  ot 
the  ice  cream  freezers, 

"Upon  reaching  the  docks  I  stood  for  a  time  watch- 
ing the  myriads  of  boys,  in  every  direction,  who  ap- 
peared to  lead  an  aimless  life.  Groups  were  formed 
here  a'*d  there  playing  cards  in  the  wagons  or  behind 
casks;  some  were  pitching  pennies,  others  were  fight- 
ing; all  were  using  the  coarsest  manners  and  the  vilest 
language  to  one  another.     A  mighty  dangerous  class 


.SGSiS"-'-'- 


Mi 


.♦'**«,«■*.„,,,>,.,. 


'THE  BROTHER. 


aat 


if)  sat  upon  an 
jrncd  face  re- 
egantly  attired, 

the  doors  and 
IS,  Qt  chatting 
sed  in  morning 

poor,  but  re- 
licatcly  formed 

of  the  night's 

of  a  gigantic 
vas  to  relieve 
or  dissipation, 
the  favorites  of 
rid  of  elegance 
e,  till,  at  last, 
fcrent  gaze   of 

a  speck  upon 
;d  to  hold  the 
ught  the  morn- 
Hie  dropped  his 

sad  face  away 
feriority  of  his 
over  of  one  of 

r  a  time  watch- 
:tion,  who  ap- 
s  were  formed 
gons  or  behind 
lers  were  fight- 
s  and  the  vilest 
langerous  class 


of  citizens  was  here  growing  up  for  the  Republic. 
They  were  of  a  class  whom  the  priests  forbid  to  go 
to  the  public  schools.  Many  who  were  swimming 
around  the  docks  had  on  their  necks  the  little  bag 
suspended  by  a  string — a  superstitious  charm  blessed 
by  the  priests  and  supposed  to  protect  the  faithful 
off-spring  from  the  attacks  of  evil  spirits.  As  the  boys 
dived  off  the  boats  into  the  water,  I  observed  them 
invariably  make  the  sign  of  the  cross  upon  their 
breasts;  so,  if  any  accident  happened  by  which  death 
might  ensue,  they  would  enter  the  next  world  with 
a  spiritual  charm  about  them,  that  would  modify  their 
punishment  and  increase  their  happiness. 

"Sympathetic  thinkers  on  the  subject  of  social  in- 
justice can  only  be  found  among  people  who  have  not 
felt,  or,  are  not  familiar  with,  misery.  In  their  breasts 
may  be  found  the  element  of  pity.     Hunger,  want    of 
clothing  and  squalid    surroundings,  are    appalling  to 
them.  Under  dire  calamity  they  display  greater  hero- 
ism and  go  to  greater  extremes  to"  advocate  and  de- 
fend justice,  and  punish  injustice.     But  they  naturally 
look  ujX'n  the  sunken  wretch  with  feelings  other  than 
pity.     They  despise  him  for  lack  of  manhood,  for  the 
want  of  effort  to  elevate    him.'ielf  from    his    position. 
They  reason  thus:  'In  the  mutability  of  things,  I  may 
meet  with  reverses.      To   the  fearful  uncertainty   of 
business  or  investments,  in  which  the    brightest  and 
ablest  are  daily  ruined,  may   be    added   war,  famine, 
accident,  and  loss  of  health.  Many  unforseen  circum- 
stances may  happen  to  destroy  my   fortune   and  my 
chancesof  remaining  at  the  top  of  society,  or  anywhere 


rfimm 


222 


"THK  HROTHKR. 


I. 

If 


\\\ 


^-:■ 


iif 


i; 


near  it.  And  it  is  possible  that  I  may  fall  so  low  that 
not  even  a  hovel  would  afford  nic  shelter  from  the 
winter's  blast,  hunger  might  even  force  me  to  ask 
alms  at  the  hands  of  another,  or  seek  the  charity  of  a 
soup  house.  But  then,  I  would  not  remain  long  in 
that  position.  I  have  intelligence,  education,  ability 
and  pride,  and  would  find  some  way  to  free  myself 
from  poverty.  I  could  not  herd  with  such  low  people, 
nor  would  I  any  longer  than  I  could  turn  myself  and 
get  out  of  it.  My  friends  on  Fifth  Avenue,  at  the  club, 
my  banker  and  acquaintances  on  change,  I  would 
have  to  shun,  because  I  know  that  when  a  man  has 
no  money  he  loses  caste,  and  when  he  becomes  ab- 
sc'''tely  wrecked  he  is  passed  unnoticed;  I  would 
I  out  of  the  way  until  I  got  up  again,  then  I  could 
1        ..or  society  without  having  been  damaged.' 

"Alas !  mv  friend,  little  do  you  dream  that  ail  your 
advantages  in  the  way  of  intelligence,  refinement  and 
laudable  purpose,  would  be  against  you,  rendering 
you  less  able  to  hol'd  your  own  in  that  low  stave  (from 
which  you  could  never  rise)  than  the  sharp  gamin 
whom  you  regard  with  such  contempt! 

"At  the  end  of  the  street  I  met  'The  Brother;'  he 
glared  at  me  awhile  with  a  wild  stare,  his  haggard 
features  and  bloodshot  eyes  told  of  some  awful  strug- 
gle within  his  breast;  his  fierce  look  terrified  me.  To 
my  civilities  he  did  not  reply,  and  the  thought  flashed 
upon  me  that  his  reason  had  fled.  'Come  with  me,' 
he  said  hoarsely,  taking  me  by  the  arm  and  leading 
me  into  an  open  door-way.  'Look  there!  see  what 
society  has  done!'     A  beautiful  figure  lay  before  me, 


'■■f-'^immi^immsmm^iaimgmiM'i 


■o,lJ«<W.'»»VS'.^'  ■ 


"THK  HKOTIIKK. 


223 


afl  so  low  that 
Iter  from  the 
rce  me  to  ask 
he  charity  of  a 
:main  long  in 
cation,  ability 
o  free  myself 
;h  low  people, 
rn  myself  and 
lie,  at  the  club, 
Jnge,  I  would 
en  a   man  has 

becomes  ab- 
ced;  I  would 
n,  then  I  could 
maged.' 
n  that  ail  your 
sfinement  and 
ou,  rerdering 
ow  stave  (from 

sharp   gamin 

Brother;'  he 
his  haggard 
e  awful  strug- 
rified  me.  To 
lought  flashed 
me  with  me,' 
and  leading 
■e  I  see  what 
ay  before  me, 


its  p:raceful  outlines  distinctly  apparent  through  the 
slight  dress.  A  loose  mass  of  rich  brown  hsir.  that 
shaded  softly  into  the  pure,  firm  brow,  temples  and 
neck,  scattered  itself  in  trailing  lines  over  the  white 
arms  and  shoulders.  The  rosy  tints  of  the  lips,  nonfrils 
ear*  and  eyelids,  were  changed  to  cold  purple;  and 
an  awful  calm  was  upon  the  features.  Here  by  the 
hards  of  rough,  tender  hearted,  weather  beaten  sail- 
ors, was  laid  upon  the  wet,  icy  floor  of  t'.e  Morgue 
the  sweet  body  of  Ooney  Maguire. 


*•  The  final  preparations  for  my  departure  for  Peace 
Colony  had  been  made,  bi  t  I  could  not  resist  the 
wis.'i  to  see 'The  Brother' once  more  before  I  left, 
and  strolled  down  town  hoping  to  fini  him  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  saloon  which  was  practically  his 
headquarters.  Sure  enough,  he  was  there.  The  sa- 
loon was  packed  with  men  and  he  was  standing  at 
the  far  end  on  a  beer  keg,  speaking    to  the    crowd. 

"The  dreadful  Johnstown  disaster,  which  had  taken 
place  the  day  before,  was  his  subject,  and  he  was 
speaking  to  an  attentive  audience  over  whom  he  held 
great  power.     As  I  entered  he  said: 

'"  But  my  brothers,  let  us  justly  consider  these  mat- 
ters Who  among  you  would  be  willing  to  return  to 
the  days  when,  if  you  wished  to  cross  the  river,  you 
would  be  obliged  to  accept  the  di.scomfort  of  a  row 
boat  at  a  cost  of  fifty  cents.'  Who  would  return  to 
the  loss  of  a  day  and  the  expense  of  a  team  if  you 
wanted  to  go  to  Harlem,  or  use  up  six  months  and  a 
dozen  oxen  in  a  tripacrossthe  plains  to  San  Francisco? 


.,^m>Hfm 


i24 


'^THE  BROTHER." 


J^'^' 

m 
u'% 


i. 


1;^ 

'0' 


■n4- 
#■■:. 


1 


Today  we  can  sit  upon  a  finely  fitted  ferry  boat,  with 
steam  heal  and  electric  light,  and  enjoy  the  newspaper 
while  we  cross  the  river,  for  three  cents.  For  five 
cents  we  can  go  to  Harlem  by  the  elevated  railroad, 
with  the  same  luxurious  comfort,  and  return  in  half  an 
hour.  In  six  days,  instead  of  six  months,  we  can  ride 
in  a  palace  car  to  San  Francisco  for  seventy-five  dol- 
lars. We  can  buy  a  gallon  of  oil  from  the  Standard 
trust  for  seven  cenj,;j.  Wu  cannot  go  back  to  the  old 
individualism  of  effort.  Trusts  and  combinations  are 
evidences  of  high  civilized  life,  whatever  may  be  the 
attendant  increase  of  poverty  and  misery  that  accom- 
panies their  development.  Go  on  with  the  trust  until 
the  entire  nation  is  its  own  trust,  and  more  luxuries, 
better  qualities;  greater  advantages,  and  greater  re- 
ductions, will  result.  The  entire  buying  community 
can  put  all  their  money  into  one  trust,  in  which  they 
only  will  be  the  stockholders,  and  share  the  dividends 
in  economy  of  production  and  distribution.  As  it  is 
now,  several  millionaires  make  the  goods  and  take 
all  the  profit  and  unearned  increment  arising  from  ac- 
cidental qualities;  such  as  scarcity,  or  advantage,  of 
market,  either  natural  or  artificial.  But  it  is  better  to 
have  several  millionaires  than  to  have  the  scattered 
and  expensive  old  fashioned  way  of  Tom,  Dick  and 
Harry  making  the  goods  in  awkward  and  incomplete 
shops  and  factories.  The  trust  only  needs  to  be  car- 
ried out  to  its  legitimate  conclusion,  and  the  nation 
make  its  own  goods,  and  take  its  own  profit  and  the 
unearned  increment  of  values. 

•"Now  brothers,  what  does  this  disaster  of  Johns- 


fir  1 


'•*><i«i»n*)4«SKi^^W*«'*iiS^^ 


"erry  boat,  with 
the  newspaper 
nts.  For  five 
jvatcd  railroad, 
eturn  in  half  an 
hs,  we  can  ride 
venty-five  dol- 
I  the  Standard 
back  to  the  old 
mbinations  are 
er  may  be  the 
ry  that  accom- 
the  trust  until 
more  luxuries, 
tid  greater  re- 
ig  community 
in  which  they 
e  the  dividends 
tion.  As  it  is 
tods  and  take 
irisingfrom  ac- 
advantage,  of 
:  it  is  better  to 
the  scattered 
om,  Dick  and 
nd  incomplete 
eeds  to  be  car- 
id  the  nation 
profit  and   the 

ster  of  Johns- 


"THE  BROTHER. 


225 


town  tea"*^  '  (Here  he  began  to  draw  a  diagram  on 
the  blackboard)  Here  we  have  a  small  square  which 
represents  the  cluster  of  summer  cottages  of  the  mill- 
ionaires of  Pittsburg;  below  we  have  a  very  large 
square  representing  the  reservoir,  a  fishing  pond  of 
the  millionaires,  with  its  rotten  dam;  below  the  dam 
we  have  a  city  of  25,000  people,  called  Johnstown. 
Here  are  a  lot  of  men  calling  to  these  millionaires  in 
the  elegant  cottages,  and  annoying  them  continually 
while  they  are  pulling  the  speckled 'trout  out  of  tb'ls 
gigantic,  private  fish  pond,  that  'the  dam  will  burst! 
the  dam  will  burst!  'Oh  !'  say  they,  'you  have  been 
crying  that  old  chestnut  for  several  years  and  the 
dam  has  not  burst  yet.  We  are  tired  of  hearing  that; 
tell  us  something  new.'  Well,  the  dam  did  burst  and 
in  a  few  minutes,  at  least  12,000  of  these  people  per- 
ished, and  how  many  more  will  never  be  known; 
millions  of  property  swept  away,  and  the  scared  mill- 
ionaires contributed  the  paltry  sum  of  $3,000  dollars 
for  the  sufierers.  I  will  not  picture  to  your  already 
shocked  senses  the  horrors  of  the  scene;  the  desola- 
tion of  homes,  the  maimed  and  murdered,  homeless 
men,  women  and  innocent  children.  Let  us  draw  the 
veil  over  this  ghastly  pictiire  of  destruction  and  death. 
Nor  will  I  picture  to  you  the  cringing  meanness  of 
these  frightened  favorites  of  fortune  who  owned  this 
mur'^.erous  dam;  nor  the  interest  which  they  took  only 
in  their  personal  friends,  at  the  coinages,  whom  they 
feared  were  short  of  luxuries  because  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  railroad.  Let  us  be  merciful  even  to  these 
ignorant  and  indifferent  millionaires;  and  to    individ- 

*9 


wrsmmm 


r^MMHtaMMHwiM 


ii6 


"THE  BROTHER. 


ii 

91 


uals  extend  the  principle  of  charity   to   its   sublimest 
extent. 

" '  We  must  consider  these  questions  on  a  broader 
ground  than  even  this  awful  calamity  presents.  For 
the  entire  United  States  is  a  millionaire's  fishing  pond 
of  which  the  dam  is  poorly  built,  and  the  water, — 
money — that  is  accumulated  behind  it,  is  for  the  ex- 
clusive benefit  of  a  few,  all  of  whom  are  non- 
workers.  In  proportion  to  the  accumulciion  of  water 
behind  this  dam  for  private  benefit,  misery  and  dis- 
content increase  in  the  same  ratio  among  the  work- 
ers. No  one  can  judge  the  strength  or  weakness  of 
the  dam,  but  the  accumulated  waters  of  discontent 
can  be  approximated.  Those  who  claim  that  this  dam 
of  waters  is  making  them  poor,  give,  as  a  reason,  that 
it  is  for  the  benefit  of  a  few  millionaires. 

"'There  are  always  a  few  reformers  who  are  cry- 
ing, the  da;.i  will  burst!  but  they  are  regarded  as  crazy 
and  are  rebuffed  with  the  taunt  that  they  said  so  years 
before  and  it  has  not  burst  yet.  But  while  saying 
that,  it  is  already  breaking  and  is  regarded  as  noth- 
ing, only  a  little  water;  a  few  lives,  and,  there  is  no 
danger;  a  little  discontent,  settled  by  the  killing  of 
a  few  anp.rcliisti,   and  all  is  lovely  now.(.') 

"'The  dam  did  burst  and  12,000  people  peiished. 
Society  is  shocked;  the  hoTor  is  telegraphed  to  all 
parts  of  the  world.  But  thrice  that  number,  and  more, 
perish  by  leakage,  every  year,  in  this  city  alone. 
What  will  it  be  when  the  giant  social  dam  bursts  in 
the  United  States.?  Will  the  people  be  the  only  vic- 
tims of  the  millionaire    fiish   pond    swept   away .'   or. 


ii 


its   sublimest 

>  on  a  broader 
presents.  For 
;'s  fishing  pond 

the  water, — 
is  for  the  ex- 
om  are  non- 
ilcdon  of  water 
sery  and  dis- 
ong  the  work- 
r  weakness   of 

of  discontent 
1  that  this  dam 
3  a  reason, that 

5. 

who  are  cry- 
;arded  as  crazy 
!y  said  so  years 

while  saying 
rded  as  noth- 
id,   there  is  no 

the   killing  of 

(?) 

aple    peilshed. 

raphed    to   all 

her,  and  more, 

is   city   alone. 

dam   bursts  in 

e  the  only  vic- 

pt   away.'   or. 


'THE  BROTHER. 


227 


will  the  millionaires  themselves  go  down,  crushed  to 
death  in  the  mighty  flood.'" 

"He  ceased  speaking,  and  from  the  dense  crowd  of 
men  a  murmer  went  up.  thoughtful  and  deep,  and 
deadly  in  its  tone.  'The  Brother'  saw  me  standing  in 
front  and  came  towards  me,  wiping  the  perspiration 
from  his  face,  wishing  to  get  out  in  the  open  air, 
where,  on  the  street,  the  eternal  sea  of  sad  people, 
was  ever  moving  on  in  ceaseless  agitation,  seeking 
daily  bread." 


CHAPTER  XVni. 

WHAT  IS  A  REPUBLIC'  AND  "THE   BROTHER'S" 
LETTER. 

'One  night,  about  10  o'clock,  'The  Brother'  and 
several  acquaintances  entered  their  headquarters,  at 
the  Bowery  saloon,  and  seated  themselves  at  a  table 
,  in  the  rear.  They  had  been  at  the  rooms  of  the  Na- 
tional Debating  Society  at  Cooper  Union,  where  the 
subject  under  debate  was;  'What  is  a  Republic.'' 
From  their  o^inversation  I  judged  that  a  great  variety 
of  opinions  had  been  expressed  on  the  subject,  which 
had  been  debated  for  several  nights.  Some  of  these 
opinions  were  given  from  the  uncultivated  ravings  of 
natural  instinct,  as  though  thaignorant  debaters  were 
guessing  at  the  subject;  others  were  the  result  of  gen- 
eral reading  of  the  various  authors  who  had    treated 


i3$ 


"THE  BROTHER." 


11:^ 


%  M 


'yAL 


■i- 


it'  •  •- 


thc  subject;  fiom  Plato  to  Sir  John  Moore,  and  so  on 
down  to  our  day:  others  were  given  as  deductions 
from  these  as  to  a  possible  Republic.  The  group  "f 
men  who  accompanied  'The  Brother,'  were  evidently 
not  satisfied  with  the  arguments  given,  which  had  left 
the  poor  Republic  as  far  from  being  explaiiiv.d  as 
ever,  and  the  minds  of  the  debaters  more  puzzled  and 
confused  than  before;  although  each  one  imagined,  at 
the  start,  that  it  was  a  subject  easy  of  explanation. 
that  anyone  who  did  not  know  what  a  Republic  was, 
must  have  some  defect  in  his  intellect.  However, 
after  all  the  hammering  and  disputing,  and  confident 
statements,  that  were  no  sooner  uttered  than  knock- 
ed to  pieces,  counter  statements  shared  no  better  fate. 
The  final  debate  closed  with  a  lot  of  dissatisfied  men, 
a  part  of  whom  were  here  to  air  their  chagrin  to  one 
another,  over  a  frienlly  glass  of  beer  and  a  cigar. 
One  of  them  said  : 

" 'That  was  a  cute  old  fellow    who    advocated    the 

monopoly  doctrine  and  was  so    strongly  in    favor    of 
trusts.     Who  is  he.'' 

"'I  don't  know  much  about  him.  He  used  to  be  a 
slave  owner  in  the  South  before  the  war;  I  suppo.ie  it 
is  in  him  yet.  Wage  slavery  is  cheaper  than  chattel 
slavery,  with  no  responsibilities,  as  this  old  fellow 
knows.  He  is  a  bright  one,  and  a  twist«r.  It  is  hard 
to  pin  him  down  to  the  base  of  an  argumerit;  he  will 
slip  from  under  you  somehow.' 

"And  so  the  conversation  ran,  with  remarks  on  the 
arguments  and  personalities  of  the  various  debaters 
who  had  tried  to  ventilate  the  apparently  very  simple 
matter  of  '  What  is  a  Rep.ubHc  .' ' 


iSI  K'3«W«»«,VS!a»sr«i(ft.SnVn(s  ^iifiSdWAjlf  SSm 


THE  UROTHEK. 


229 


'.,  and  so  on 
deductions 
he  group  ^f 
re  evidently 
hich  had  left 
xplaiiiv-d  as 
puzzled  and 
magined,  at 

explanation, 
epublic  was, 
However, 
id  confident 
han    knock- 

0  better /ate. 
:tisfied  men, 
grin  to  one 
nd    a    cigar. 

ocated  the 
in    favor    of 

ised  to  be  a 

1  suppose  it 
:han  chattel 

old  fellow 
*.  It  is  hard 
:rtt;  he    will 

arks  on  the 
IS  debaters 
very  simple 


"'The  Brother' had  bu  little  to  say.  It  was  evi- 
dent that  he  had  taken  part  in  the  debate  and  had 
purposely  be^^n  arguing  fallaciously  in  order  to  drift 
the  subject  into  a  tangle  and  force  the  debaters  into 
positions  that  would  so  damage  their  premises  as  to 
make  them  come  to  conclusions  f^r  different  than  the 
object  they  had  in  view;  for  he  was  a  master  in  the 
art  of  logic,  and  could  put  the  cleverest  to  their  met- 
tle when  necessary.  He  had  been  listening  and 
smoking  quietly  when  some  question  was  asked  hinrj- 
about  the  subject  of  debate.     He  looked  up  and  said: 

'"The  whole  defect  in  this  question  that  so  bewild- 
ered everyone  who  attempted  to  debate  it,  is  the  rot- 
tenness of  its  premises.  But  not  one  saw  it.  The 
Republic,  as  they  u.-«.derstand  it,  is  based  on  ideas  de- 
veloped from  what  is  and  has  been;  a. state  of  Ifberty 
in  which  freedom  has  never  existed  in  speech  or  in 
thought.-  This  idea  of  a  Republic  is  based  on  indi- 
vidual freedom,  which,  of  course,  is  illogical;  for  no 
such  thing  could  exist  with  man  any  more  than  it  can 
in  other  parts  of  nature,  or  in  the  whole  of  it:  and 
any  attempt  at  individual  freedom  inaugurates  con- 
tention and  strife  with  the  environment  of  things,  on 
which  man,  or  any  part  of  nature,  is  dependent.  The 
worlds  in  space  are  not  free  from  the  natural  laws  of 
gravitation  and  repulsion.  Thelifeontheplanetis  sub- 
ject to  atmospheric  influcncesandtheearthon  which  it 
lives.  Man  is  called  free,  but,  is  he  not  governed  by 
the  necessities  of  his  existence  and  his  environment, 
whether  social  or  otherwise^*  And  is  it  not  a  fact 
that  his  greatest  freedom  arise*  from    the   co-opera- 


230 


'THE  BROTHER. 


tion  and  help  of  others.  In  the  isolated  savage  state, 
would  he  not  be  the  veriest  slave  to  his  natural  wants 
and  the  dangers  to  which  he  would  be  subject .'  Then, 
is  not  his  greatest  protection  and  benefit  derived  from 
the  most  complete  social  interdependence  of  his  fel- 
lows.' And  does  not  the  nearest  approach  he  makes 
to  independence,  remove  him  further  and  further  from 
social  advantages  and  bring  him  ne&rcr  and  nearer 
the  savage  beast,  that  works  uu  the  independent  plan 
and  is  only  social  when  his  passions  force  him  to  be 
so."*  The  idea  of  a  Republic,  as  it  exists  in  the  minds 
of  men,  is  a  fallacy;  and  its  development  into  fact 
would  be  as  disastrous  to  man  as  the  system  by  which 
men  live  off  the  labor  of  others.  There  is  no  such 
thing  as  a  Republic,  as  it  is  commonly  understood; 
nor  can  there  be.  Man  is  simply  a  social  being,  and 
his  social  development,  carried  to  its  highest  ideal,  is 
his  perfect  Republic.  The  only  idea  of  a  true  Repub- 
lic is,  'That  which  is  equally  good   for  ail." 

The  pen  of  the  historian  *paused,  then  drawing  a 
long,  straight  line,  it  commenced  to  slowly  write  the 
following:  "  This  is  the  last  interview  I  ever  had  with 
'The  Brother.'  I  can  only  give  you  additionally  the 
conversation  Victoria  and  I  had  over  Lis  letter  receiv- 
ed three  years  later.  If  you  wish  me  to  go  on,  do  not 
speak,  but  raise  your  left  hand."  The  historian  anx- 
ious to  obtain  all  the  knowledge  possible  of  the  found- 
er of  their  civilization,  raised  his  left  hand,  and 
instantly  the  pen  began  to  fly  over  the  paper  before 
him,  and  the  story  continued: — 


"'My  dear,  you  are  late  for  breakfast, 
kept  you?' 


What  has 


hi 


savage  state, 

latural  wants 

bject?  Then, 

derived  from 

e  of  his  fel- 

ch  he  makes 

further  from 

and    nearer 

pendent  plan 

i  him    to    be 

in  the  minds 

nt   into   fact 

em  by  which 

is    no   such 

understood; 

il  being,  and 

hest  ideal,  is 

true  Repub- 

11." 

n  drawing  a 
\y  write  the 
ver  had  with 
itionally  the 
letter  receiv- 
[o  on,  do  not 
storian  anx- 
of  the  found- 
hand,  and 
aper   before 

What  has 


•'THE  HROTHEk. 


23! 


'•Victoria: — 'I  felt  somewhat  feverish  this  morning. 
The  wine  I  drank  after  the  opera  last  night,  I  think, 
did  not  benefit  me  any;  besides,  we  smoked  too  much 
and  chatted  too  late  about  the  new  Prima  Donna.  So 
I  went  to  the  baths  for  exercise,  and  now  I  feel  as 
spry  as  a  lark.' 

'"We  must  go  at  once  to  the  hotel;  the  electric  has 
called  for  second  breakfast.  I  have  some  mail  for  you 
from  New  York,  but  do  not  open  it  now  for  I  am  hun- 
gry. I,  too,  have  been  exercising,  on  the  gallerie* 
and  beat  Miss  Jones  in  a  foot  race  twice  around  the 
block." 

"'You  are  quite  an  athlete  and  will  be  head  of  the 
gymnasium  yet,  if  you  are  not  careful.  I  will  just 
glance  at  this  letter  to  see  who  it  is  from.' 

'•'Please  don't  till  after  breakfast;  we  must  go! 
"  •  All  right;  come,  we  will  go  to  the  hotel.' 
'"What  do  you  think  Victoria,  I  have  a  letter  from 
'The  Brother,"  at  last.  My  attempts  to  .force  some 
communication  from  him  have  been  crowned  with 
success,  and  here  is  a  good  long  letter  from  the  noble 
fellow.' 

'"I  hope 'The  Brother' is  a  happpier  man  than 
when  we  left  New  York.  I  feared  from  your  descrip- 
tion of  him,  at  the  time  of  Ooney's  suicide,  that  he 
might  do  something  violent.' 

"'Yes.  It  was  difficult  to  imagine  the  outcome  of 
that  sad  human  history,  of  which  I  saw  but  a  small 
part  in  her  heroism  at  the  tenement  fire,  the  streets, 
her  aged  mother's  death  and  the  scene  at  the  morgue. 
Victoria,  will  you  read  his  letter  while  I  smoke  a  cigar? 


{^fW^P* 


iii 


•  THK  BROTHER. 


New  York,  June  ?i,   1893. 
Mr.  Edward  Pureheart, 
Box  27,384, 

City  of  Peace,  Oregon. 

My  dear  Sir : — 

Your  friend  here  hunted  me  up 
at  considerable  trouble  to  himself  and  gave  me  your 
letter,  which  I  was  much  pleased  to  receive,  and  to 
hear  ofyour  happiness  and  prosperity.  It  isexceedingly 
pleasant  to  hear  that  you  have  named  the  little  boy, 
Jim,  after  me.  The  happiness  of  the  fe^jling  that  any 
heart  snould  beat  in  sympathy  for  me,  outside  of  my 
robbed  and  plundered  class,  is    certainly  very   great. 

It  is  taught  us  that  man  forgets  himself  and  his 
poor  friends  when  prosperity  aiid  comfort  set  in;  and 
forgets  God  also.  Under  our  system  here  that  has 
been  the  case,  ever  since  Ihe  Bible  was  written;  it 
works  exactly  that  way.  But  the  system  of  the  city 
and  county  of  Peace  seems  to  work  just  the  other 
way;  people  have  a  full  chance  to  not  only  love  God 
and  man  to  the  fullest  extent,  but,  also,  to  love  the 
world  and  everything  else  that  we  are  constituted  to 
enjoy.  Of  course,  I  get  a  good  deal  of  news  of  the 
workings  ofyour  co-operative  society  from  mission- 
aries and  agitators  in  our  midst;  but  all  the  leading 
papers  keep  as  quiet  as  mice  about  it.  The  influence 
of  that  experiment  has  undoubtedly  made  the  giant 
monopolies  and  their  sole  official  agents  at  Washing- 
ton, uneasy  for  the  future,  and  they  will  work  the 
public  to  the  utmost  as  long  as  their  power  lasts. 
What  amuses  me  is  to  see  the  hellish  eagerness  to 
get  everything  turned  into  money,  which  a  change  to 
Nationalism  would  render  utterly  worthless;  unless 
they  propose  to  skip  to  slavery  countries  and  enjoy 
their  boodle  with  the  rotten  aristocracy. 

The  Presidential  election  is  coming  on  fast.    Here, 


■*!S®;^i;'ii'"- 


ii 


"THK  BROTHER. 


233 


21,    1892. 


inted  me  up 
ive  me  your 
ive,    and    to 

exceedingly 
e  little  boy, 
ng  that  any 
itside    of  my 

very  great, 
self  and    his 

set  in;  and 
re  that  has 
written;  it 
I  of  the  city 
t  the  ot'.icr 
\y   love  God 

to  love  the 
nstituted  to 
news  of  the 
>m    mission- 

the  leading 
he  influence 
:  the  giant 
it  Washing- 
1  work  the 
)ower  lasts, 
'agerness  to 
a  change  to 
less;    unless 

and    enjoy 

fast.     Here, 


of  course,  ballot  reform  has  been  killed  by  Gov.  Hill 
and  the  corrupt  gang,  for  whom  there  would  not  be 
a  ghost  of  a  chance  if  we  had  it.  Bu<^  I  know  that  the 
leading  politicians  on  both  sides  have  joined  their  in- 
terests secretly,  and  in  the  next  election  will  reign 
supreme.  The  entire  saloon  interest  is  solid  with  the 
brewers,  and,  to  hold  them,  the  railroads  and  every 
other  combine,  dependent  on  legislation,  are  compell- 
ed to  fall  in  together  for  common  protection.  The 
sufferings  of  the  people  are  even  greater  than  when 
you  left;  more  small  merchants  and  mechanics  have 
gone  under;  drunkenness  and  stealing  are  on  the  in- 
crease and  the  Prohibitionists  are  numetous;  the  po- 
lice force  has  been  strengthened  and  given  more 
power:  weak  women  and  helpless  children  come  in 
for  their  share,  as  you  saw  at  the  Centennial  Inaug- 
ural. Even  with  the  example  of  your  Peace  Commu- 
nity, that  has  removed  all  cause  fbr  greed  and  misery, 
the  same  social  crimes  go  on  here,  in  a  worse  degree 
than  before.  The  sea  of  discontent  is  rolling  high. 
The  cargo  is  being  thrown  overboard,  in  the  shape  of 
charities,  to  save  the  vessel.  But  the  storm  is  increas- 
ing and  soon  the  waves  will  lash  in  fury  over  the 
wreck  and  lifeless  bodies  of  those  on  board. 

With  us  the  strangler  is  not  only  at  the  pocket,  but 
at  the  life,  and  humanity  gasps  for  existence.  In  the 
last  deadly  struggle  of  the  masses,  may  we  not  ex- 
pect an  awful  scene !  Happily,  the  stranglers  are 
concentrating  their  numbers.  In  fancied  security 
they  stand  upon  the  brink  of  a  precipice;  a  moment, 
the  slightest  accident,  may  bring  the  spark  *hat  will 
set  the  Ci  Mshed  world  ablaze.  In  this  seething,  social 
mass  are  men  and  women  of  high  abilities,  with  intel- 
lects quickened  by  the  struggle  for  life  and  hearts 
hardened  by  injustice;  scientists  who,  without  the 
slightest  harm  to  themselves,  could  sweep  the  noble 
harbor  and  docks  of  the  metropolis  of  the  entire  navy 
30 


^a 


§$■> 


tiim 


234 


"THE  BROTH KR," 


of  commerce  and  war,  level  forts,  produce  a  water 
famine  and  leave  this  festcrin  .  hypocritical,  social 
state  a  mass  of  ashes  and  rotting  human  beings,  at 
the  cost  of  a  few  cents.  Where,  in  such  not-far-from- 
tmpossible  uprising,  would  be  the  lives,  the  fortunes 
and  the  luxuries,  of  the  privileged  classes — the  Four 
Hundred  ? — 

'"What  a  dreadful  letter!  It  is  enough  to  give 
one  the  blues!' 

"'Yes,  Victoria;  it  is  horrible  because  we  ere  re- 
moved from  these  influences  and  surroundings.  Can 
you  not  recjjl  your  happy  days,  when  you  actually 
grew  to  womanhood  without  even  an  idea  that  >ucfi 
horrors  existed  all  around  you.' and  I,  a  man,  with 
greater  opportunities,  was  but  little  better   informed." 

•"Poor  'Brother!'  What  a  sublime  martyr  he 
makes  of  himself  for  his  fellow  wretches,  whom  he 
will  not  abandon  to  their  awful  fate!  How  insignifi- 
cant the  worthless  dole  of  alms  from  the  wealthy 
churches  appears  in  comparison  with  his  labors!  How 
does  he  support  himself.'' 

•"Well,  Victoria,  I  have  had  an  insight  into  his  life 
without  his  knowledge,  and  I  assure  you,  he  is  just 
like  the  fifty  thousand  men,  women  and  children  who 
rise  every  morning  in  New  York  without  an  idea 
where  breakfast  is  to  come  from.  Sometimes  they 
manage  to  get  food  during  the  day,  frequently  one 
meal  and  often  none.  I  have  known  them  to  be  with- 
out food  for  three  or  four  days;  it  is  then  they  arc 
driven  to  the  slop  barrels  in  the  wealthier  portions  of 
the  city.  The  waste  of  the  hotels  is  ail  bought  up, 
mixed  together  and  made  into  hash  and  Washington 


tir'  '^"*!:.^*'.*VS'>*r^  ■; 


'THK  BROTHER. 


235 


ucc  a  water 
itical,  social 
in  beings,  at 
not-far-from- 
the  fortunes 
es — the  Four 

ugh    to    give 

wc  ere  re- 
idihgs.  Can 
you  actually 
:a  that  >ucR 
i  man,  with 
•r  informed." 
;  martyr  he 
s,  whom  he 
3W  insigniB- 
the  wealthy 
labors!  How 

it  into  his  life 
Li,  he  is  just 
:hildren  who 
out  an  idea 
letimes  they 
quently  one 
1  to  be  with- 
en  they  aic 
:r  portions  of 
bought  up, 
Washington 


pie,  and  sold  on  the  stands  and  eating  houses  of  the 
slums. ' 

'"Dreadful!  And  yet  good  people  still  believe  in 
the  doctrine  of  Malthus,  that  God  makes  this  poverty, 
crime  and  disease  necessary  to  remove  the  surplus 
population  from  the  earth.' 

•"Well,  Victoria,  we,  like  the  Pharisee,  must  thank 
God  that  we  are  not  as  other  men  are.  Let  us  hear 
what  else  the  noble  '  Brother'  has  to  say.' 

'"Well,  here  it  is: 

It  is  very  difficult  for  me  to  realize,    situated    as    I 
am  in  this  large  city,  whose  advantages  as  one  of  the 
centres  of  the  world's  inhabitants,  with  its  unequalled 
bay  and  giant  railways    penetrating   to  every   fertile 
valley  of  this  continent,  how  you,  in  an  enclosed,    in- 
terior district,  with   only  a  medium    sized   river,    can 
enjoy  the  possibilities   of  human    existence;   freedom 
from  peddlars  and    beggars,   bonds   and    mortgages, 
and  not  a  rich  or  poor  person  among  you;    and    have 
such  complete  comforts,  all    produced  from  the    bare 
earth  in  so  short  a  time.     But  I  suppose  it  arises  from 
no  waste  and  all    production   going   into   the   public 
pile.     Your  city  must  be  a  curiosity,  built  as  it   is  in 
connected  angles,  witn  the  sun  and  air  reaching  every 
appartment.     The  arrangement,  on  the  plan  you  sent 
me,  makes  clear  how  you  walk  frorti  one  end    of  the 
city  to  the  other  through  the   covered   centre   of  the 
dwellings  to  work,   hotels,    amusements  and    to    the 
stores,  without   inconvenience  from  the   weather   or 
passing  vehicles.     The  porches  or.  the  road-side  with 
their  open  gardens  must  be  very  pleasant  from  which 
to  watch  the    drive   on   the   quiet,   dustless,   asphalt 
streets.  The  company  of  the  neighbors  as  you  prom- 
enade and  chat  with  each   other   «"n   the   continuous 
porches  must  also  be  very  agreeable. 


f 


■  ■^i.'.----Kr''**a'ss*'SvS'*"5^;^;jj^ 


f-     : 

1^ 


;:*3['! 


ii- 


■l::l^ 


ill' 


■i  I- 


336 


'THE  HROTHER. " 


Here  in  New  York  rich  and  poor  live  in  what  are 
really  boxes,  fenced  off  from  one  another  in  the 
meanest  way;  their  only  exit  is  to  the  hard,  stony, 
badly  paved  street,  where  the  noise  and  rattle  pre- 
vents conversation:  and  everyone  is  exposed  to  the 
rain,  wind,  snow  and  ice. 

One  thing  pu/.zled  me  for  a  long  time — how  you 
managed  to  shorten  the  distances  for  vehicles  on  the 
streets  without  going  around  long  corners  and  losing 
time;  but,  by  the  arches  leading  through  at  each 
angle,  I  see  that  force  is  economized  in  the  highest 
degree.  I  cannot  fully  appreciate  the  delights  of  your 
art  galleries,  fine  conceits,  theatres  and  operas,  be- 
cause my  education  has  not  been  favorable  to  a  high- 
er study  of  these  refinementi  Although,  in  the  midst 
of  this  festering  mass,  I  know  an  aged,  submerged 
artist,  once  a  man  of  recognized  ability,  who  lives  in 
a  dirty  garret,  and  from  whom  I  have  learned  to 
draw  characteristic  subjects;  bv+  the  ideal  art  in  paint- 
ing, sculpture,  poetry  and  music,  is  really  a  dead 
letter  to  me. 

When  you  speak  of  the  way  agricultural  products 
are  economized  and  the  happy  state  of  the  farmers, 
I  cannot  help  contrasting  it  with  the  waste  here.  Our 
farmers  serui  their  produce  to  the  commission  merch- 
ants who  charge  10  per  cent,  and  sell  at  a  monopoly 
price.  If  the  market  is  full  they  hold  the  produce  for 
a  high  price  until  the  stuff  rots,  and  then  it  goes  over 
the  docks  into  the  river.  They  are  in  a  position  to 
say  what  price  they  choose  to  the  farmer,  who  is  at 
thi?  disadvantage  of  distance  and  the  railroads,  and 
must  accept  a  false  price  minus  the  discount;  and  so 
he  eets  nothing.  The  farmers  have  taken  to  raising 
rr». Ik  lately  and  get  only  3c  a   qt.    from    the   dealers. 

It  is  certainly  wise  in  your  colony  to  take  secret 
measures  to  procure  large  quantities  of  arms  and"  am- 
unition,  and  to  have  your  athletes  well  trained  to  the 


QS,-i, 


•'THE  BROTHER. 


»37 


in  what  are 
>ther  in  the 
hard,  stony, 
I  rattle  pre- 
losed   to   the 

e — how  you 
hicies  on  the 
s  and  losing 
jgh   at   each 

the  highest 
ights  of  your 

operas,  be- 
ile  to  a  high- 

in  the  midst 
submerged 
ivho  lives  in 
!  learned  to 
I  art  in  paint- 
ally    a    dead 

ral  products 
the  farmers, 
te  here.  Our 
ssion  merch- 
a  monopoly 
:  produce  for 
it  goes  over 
.  position  to 
,  who  is  at 
lilroads,  and 
>unt;  and  so 
en  to  raising 
the  dealers, 
take  secret 
•ms  and*  am- 
ained  to  the 


drill;  your  suspicions  in  my  opinion  are  well  founded. 
Such  a  menace  to  what  St.  John  clearly  saw   in   his 
vision,  "the  great  beast  of  property,"  cannot  be    per- 
mitted to  live.     The  millionaires  arc  really    the  dan- 
gerous class  of  society.     They  are  the  Individualists> 
and  will  stop  at  nothing  to    dynamite  any  portion    of 
society  that  will  prevent  their  absorbtion  and  control 
of  all  other  men  and  the  fruits  of  their  labor.     I  shall 
watch    closely    all    movements  of  the   concentrated 
Stock  Exchange.     Trade  balances  are  getting  closer 
and  closer  every  year,  and  the  brokers,    money  deal- 
ers and    traders,    must   turn   more   and  more  on    the 
home  market.     They  can  get  at  you  by  changing  the 
National  and  State  laws  easily    enough;    but  I    hope 
we  will  be  able  to  spread  the    Nationalist   movement 
fast  enough  by  private  effort  to  make  that  impossible. 
There  is  much  that  I  might  add  to  this  letter  but  it 
is  already  too  long  for    you  to    read.      I    suppose    it 
would  be  polite  for  me  to  say  that  I  regret  the  misfor- 
tune of  your  wife's  father,  who  was  caught  short    last 
week  in  Wall    street  and    made  a   bad   failure,    from 
which  he  will  never  recover.     But  I  must  be  true  to 
my  own  sense  of  justice  and  say  that  I  am  not  sorry. 
He  comes  into  our  class  also  and  will  make  a  violent 
reformer,  who  will  want  to  kill    some  poor,   unfortu- 
nate, rich  man;  just  as  though  the  rich  were  to  blame 
for  the  system.     All  must  come    to   me   and  be    sub- 
merged in  my  sphere  I  The  high  officials,  the  bankev, 
inventor,  scientist,  artist,  philosopher,  poet,  innocence, 
beauty,  the  railroad  king,  minister,  heroes  of  war;  all 
must  come  to  the  inevitable  slum  of  poverty.  Social 
disparity  is  King  and    absolute.      I,    like  the    grave, 
welcome  them  all  and  begin  to  breed  the    demon    of 
discontent  in  their  breasts.     Of  course,  it  is   too  late 
for  them,  for  other  powerful  money  kings    step  into 
their  abandoned  places;   but  it  is  all  I  have    to  work 
on.     The  army  is  growing  faster  and  faster  and  soon 


'lit' 


§0Si 


238 


"THE  BROTHER. 


■;■;  I 


'it  1 


m 


a-r 


will      include      all      but      the      goWen      few. 

Please  let  me  hear  from  you  occasionally,  and  if 
you  will  send  your  Nationalist  paper  to  my  address 
at  Regan's  Saloon  I  will  be  obliged.  Enclosed  find 
tin  type  of  my  not  over  hand.-iome  self,  and  a  Centen- 
nial medal  for  little  Jim. 

Your  friend, 

"The  Brother." 

P,  S. — Here  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  by  Senator 
Ingalls.  It  was  published  the  year  after  you  left  New 
York,  and  shows  you  the  brazen,  public  acknowledge- 
menc  of  open  political  crime  by  even  honorable,  or 
rather,  honored  Senators: 

"With  the  possible  exception  of  the  two  terms  of 
Washington  there  has  not  been  an  absolutely  fair,  free 
and  impartial  expression  of  the  deliberate  will  of  the 
people  in  any  Presidential  election  since  the  founda- 
tion of  the  Government.  I  doubt  if  there  ever  will  be. 
Patronage  will  allure  the  ambitious,  force  will  coerce  , 
the  timid,  demagogicm  will  gull  the  credulou:=.  fraud 
will  rob  the  weak,  money  will  buy  the  mercenary. 
The  purification  of  politic -i  is  an  irredescent  dream. 
Government  is  force.  Politics  is  a  battle  for  suprem- 
acy. Parties  are  the  armies.  The  decalogue  and  the 
golden  rule  have  no  place  in  a  political  campaign. 
The  object  is  succes.  To  defeat  the  antagonist  and 
expel  the  party  in  power  is  the  purpose.  The  repub- 
licans and  democrats  are  as  irreconcilably  opposed  to 
each  other  as  were  Grant  and  Lee  in  the  Wilderness. 
They  use  ballots  instead  of  guns,  but  the  struggle  is 
an  unrelenting  ind  desperate  one,  and  the  result 
sought  for  the  same.  In  war  it  is  lawful  to  deceive  the 
adversary,  to  hire  Hessians,  to  purchase  mercenaries, 
to  mutil?te,  to  kill,  to  destroy.  The  commander  who 
lost  a  battle  through  the  activity  of  his  moral  nature 
would  be  the  derision  and  jest  of  history.  This  cant 
about  corruption  in  politics  is   extremely  fatiguing." 


wi. 


''*»i«i?ftttff«!;*»Saa-S^.^i^S-i*S>ii*iS&: 


"THE  BROTHER. 


239 


n      few. 
nally,   and   if 
my  address 
nclosed    find 
id  a  Centen- 


trother." 

by  Senator 
you  left  New 
cknowledge- 
onorable,    or 

vo  terms  of 
tely  fair,  free 
e  will  of  the 

the  founda- 
ever  will  be. 
:  will  coerce  . 
dulou'!.  fraud 
mercenary, 
icent  dream. 

for  suprem- 
5^ue  and  the 
1  campaign, 
agonist   and 

The  repub- 
>' opposed  to 

Wilderness. 

struggle  is 
i  the  result 
)  deceive  the 
mercenaries, 
mander  who 
I  oral  nature 
'.    This  cant 

fatiguing." 


'"What  a  painfully  interesting  letter!  Is  it  true  that 
food  is  allowed  to  rot,  thrown  over  the  docks  and  the 
farmers  cheated  in  this  way.'' 

"'Yes,  Victoria;    'The   Brotherj'   sh  me  this 

once  when  we  went  to  the  markets  at  o"*'-:  kin  the 
morning  and  watched  the  workings  of  tkij"  system  till 
after  lo  o'clock.  The  scene  of  activity  there  and  the 
characters  engaged  in  it,  was  a  study.  We  saw  how 
good  food  was  rendered  unfi  for  use,  b.id  diseased 
meat  artfully  pushed  off  on  to  purchasers.  We  saw 
the  Italian  garbage  gatherers,  the  trampsand  a  thou- 
sand horrors  that  the  public  has  no  conception  of.  I 
saw  one  cause  why  the  farmer  is  gro\7ing  poorer  and 
poorer  every  day;  swamped  with  mortgages  and  par- 
alysed beyond  recovery;  and  wis.hesto  fly  to  the  cities 
fancying  to  escape  the  doom  that  awaits  them.  It  ^s 
useless  to  consider  the  farmer  in  the  regeneration  of 
society;  his  intellect  is  beyond  reach;  he  alone  pre- 
sents the  type  of  the  perfect  pagar.  This  class  has 
declined  in  the  march  of  intelligence.  The  hard  strug- 
gle to  maintain  themselves  against  the  social  disease 
that  has  absorbed  their  vitals,  to  which  they  contri- 
bute more  than  any  other  class  to  nourish  and  feed 
the  virus,  hr>s  obliterated  the  last  vestige  of  the  noble 
sentiments,  of  all  honor  and  dignity,  they  once  pos- 
sessed. The  farm  hands  gsiher  around  the  polls  and 
stand  for  .sale  with  an  idtutic  efTrontery  worse  than 
the  wretches  in  the  cities;  and  the  proprietors  demand 
the  price  of  their  vote,  and  often  requini  a  team  to  be 
sent  to  bring  them  to  the  polls;  the  expense  willingly 
furnished  out  of  the   corruption  fund  by  the  sharpers 


i^: 


f^ 


wirtw— ■^MW"*"''!"" 


240 


'THE  BROTHER. 


HA    ! 

I! 


who  run  the  elections  in  league  with  the  monopolist 
robbers.  It  is  not  from  the  purchasable  agricultural 
or  city  class  of  voters  that  any  hope  can  be  expected 
in  the  reformation  of  society;  these  will  never  accom- 
plish it,  but  rather  retard  and  give  the  greatest  trouble 
and  danger  in  any  change  that  may,  by  force  of  cir- 
cumstances, be  compelled.  It  is  rather  from  the  class 
who  still  maintain  themselves  respectably  and  feel  the 
insecurity  of  their  position.  For  no  man  is  secure  in 
his  fortune,  or  sure  that  his  so  carefully  trained  and 
educated  son,  will  not  become  a  homeless  tramp,  or 
that  his  sweet  and  tender  daughter  may  not  compul- 
sorily  become  the  companion  of  the  vilest,  and  be 
rapidly  hurried  along  with  the  giant  crowd  on  the 
highway  of  crime  and  suicide.  It  is  from  those 
merchants  and  manufacturers  who  are  wiped  out  by 
competition  with  their  more  wealthy  brothers; 
from  scholars  and  professors  of  learning;  from 
the  few  grand  clergymen  who  have  displayed  a  splen- 
did heroism  in  throwing  off  the  shackles  of  orthodox 
dogma  and  superstition;  from  the  reading,  thinking 
part  of  the  great  industrial  army  grou  1  to  pieces  by 
competition  and  combinations  of  monopolists;  uti 
those  who  are  found  in  ethical  so'  eties,  anti-poverty 
societies  and  the  gatherings  of  those  vho  are  discuss- 
ing the  new  economy  of  rent  for  the  mmunity,  and 
the  larger  theme,  the  absorbtion  of  at  he  forces  of 
production  by  the  nation.  The  pressui  on  all  below 
the  grade  of  the  millionaire  is  rapidly  closing  up  the 
ranks  of  this,  the  intellect  of  the  world;  and  already 
they  stand  in  mighty  array  armed  with  all  the  forces 


"THE  BROTHER. 


241 


5  monopolist 

agricultural 
I  be  expected 
never  accom- 
eatest  trouble 

force  of  cir- 
rom  the  class 
r  and  feel  the 
n  is  secure  in 

trained  and 
ess  tramp,  or 
not  compul- 
lest,  and  be 
owd    on    the 

from  those 
/iped  out  by 
y  brothers; 
rning;  from 
ayed  a  splen- 
of  orthodox 
ig,  thinking 
to  pieces  by 
>olists;  i  >'.n 
anti- poverty 
1  are  discuss- 
munity,  and 
le  forces  of 
on  all  below 
3sing  up  the 
and  already 
ill  the  forces 


of  the  nineteenth  century  against  the  two  great  crimes 
of  society;  the  forced  vices  and  crimes  of  the  impov- 
erishv^d  and  hopeless  and  the  greater  crime  of  mon- 
opoly and  millionairism. — Farewell."     :  .    , 

The  pen  flew  from  the  historian's  hand,  a  sudden 
flash  and  all  was  dark.  A  feeling  of  dizziness  came 
over  the  senses  of  the  anxious  inquirer  of  the  secrets 
of  "The  Brother,'  who  swooned  in  the  arms  of  Comus. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

FETE  AT  PEACE  CITY  AND  THE  PLAY  OF 
HYPOCRITES. 

Endless  crowds  of  people  had  filled  the  streets  all 
day  engaf:ed  in  the  pageant.  The  great  halls  had 
echoed  to  refined  music  and  oratory;  the  senses  were 
soothed  with  poetic  thought  and  rythm.  Athletic 
sports  had  awakened  excitement  in  the  young  and 
old;  and  the  immense  salon  emblazoned  with  the 
works  of  artistic  skill  was  the  scene  of  admiring 
thousands.  Abo^/e  all  loomed  in  gigantic  proportions 
and  splendor  Keramicos'  enchanting  works  of  The 
Spirit  of  "The  Brother  '  and  the  collossal  panels  of 
Truth  and  Justice.  The  honors  had  been  conferred 
upon  this  sublime  artist,  and  the  day  ended  with  his 
marriage  tp  the  beautiful  Sappho  whose  face  beamed 
with  the  perfection  of  happiness.  Joy  seemed  to  sit  on 
every  heart  as  the  charming  day  closed  cloudless,  in 
3« 


Wi 


24« 


"THE  BROTHER. 


-H  i 


A.  twilight  of  pure,  even  tinted  sky- 
Comus,  silent  and  alone,  walked  the  streets  after 
the  populace  had  retired  within  musing  on  the  mighty 
event,  which  his  active  brain  continually  contrasted 
with  pictures  of  the  past,  where  he  could  find  no  par- 
allel with  this  happy  state.  His  recollections  of  form- 
er times  brought  only  painful  contrasts.  He  was  sud- 
denly startled  at  the  sound  of  his  name — the  histori- 
v.n  was  calling  him  from  a  window  of  the  museum. 
Entering,  he  was  warmly  welcomed  by  the  scholar, 
whose  prostration  after  the  wonderful  revelations  by 
the  spirit  of  Edward  Pureheartand  Comus'  occupation 
in  the  fetes  of  the  last  few  days  had  prevented  them 
n  eeting.  Naturally  the  conversation  turned  upon 
the  subject  of  nineteenth  century  times  and  the  scenes 
in  which  "The  Brother"  lived,  and  had  portrayed  in. 
his  records.  The  spirit  of  Edward  Pureheart  had 
thrown  light  upon  the  causes  leading  to  the  establish- 
ment of  Peace  colony,  an  account  of  which  "The 
Brbther"  had  given  in  one  of  his  histories  in  the  vault, 
stating  that  it  was  taken  from  their  newspaper  as  an 
account  of  their  fete.  Comus'  anxious  inquiries  in 
regard  to  that  colony  were  answered  by  the  historian 
reading  the  following  from  "The  Brother's"  book : 
Peace  Colony,  Oregon,  May  21,  1892. 
For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  man  there  was 
what  could  be  truly  said  a  fete  of  tlie  people  in  which 
there  was  no  social  distinction,  except  that  arising 
from  emulation  of  each  other's  virtue.  Independence 
arising  from  interdependence  rested  on  every  spirit. 
The  bitter  spirit  of  exclusiveness,  fear,  jealousy  and 
greed,  were  practically  eliminated  from    the  citizens, 


:inted  sky- 
streets  after 
>n  the  mighty 
y  contrasted 
i  find  no  par- 
lions  of  form- 

He  was  sud- 
-the  histori- 
the  museum, 
the  schoiar, 
evelations  by 
is'  occupation 
ivented  them 

turned  upon 
nd  the  scenes 

portrayed  in. 
jreheart  had 
the  establish- 
which  "The 
s  in  the  vault, 
spaper  as  an 

inquiries   in 

the  historian 
rV'book: 
y  21,  1892. 
n    there   was 
)ple  in  which 

that  arising 
ndependence 
every  spirit, 
jealousy  and 

the  citizens. 


*THE  BROTHER. 


243 


who,  only  three  short  years  before,  had  emerged  from 
the  savage  state  of  individualism;  who,  only  three 
short  years  before,  had  left  the  perlieus  of  splendor 
and  woe  to  raise  the  Washingtonian  standard  '•  to 
which  the  wise  and  honest  can  repair."  Here  was 
the  fact,  the  absolute  fact;  no  carping  hypocrite,  or 
bigot,  sophistical  twister  of  truth,  or  selfish  intellect, 
could  gainsay  the  factJaefore  us.  A  look  into  the 
restful,  joyous  eyes  of  all  was  sufficient  to  speak  the 
bliss  of  an  anti-poverty  social  system;  even  the  hard 
features  of  the  elders,  that  had  been  set   in   disagree- 


FRTE  AT  PEACE  CITY, 
able  lines  by  a  life  struggle  between  the  upper  and 
lower  millstone  of  monopoly  and  poverty,  now,  under 
the  happy  influence  of  the  abolition  of  want  and  the 
joy  of  peace,  relaxed  into  expressions  that  tended 
towards  the  primitive  form  in  which  God  had  made 
man  after  his  own  image,  and  were  pleasant  to  view. 
"It  is  our  own.  It  is  our  own,"  was  written  on 
every  face  and  animated  every  heart.  No  king, 
no  emperor,  no  tyrants,  no  ecclesiastical  bigotry,  no 
monopoly,  greed,  misery,  poverty,  no  social  disease, 
no  tramp,  no  drunkenness,  no  prisons  or  lawyers;  all 


f,  '^1  \'*:':'1%i^fiyf:^:W^'. 


244 


"THE  BROTHER." 


11. 


it:" 


were  nch;  every  man,  woman  and  child  owned  the 
city  and  the  wealth  of  the  country.  None  begged 
for  their  share;  nor  used  the  abundance  that  came  to 
each.  The  mighty  surplus  brought  greater  comfort, 
greater  elegance,  better  libraries,  greater  arts,  better 
morals  and  purer  religion.  Here  they  were  a  happy, 
happy  people.  They  came  from  all  parts  by  the 
steam  and  electric  roads,  where  kind  hearts  welcom- 
ed them  to  the  feast  of  joy,  that  was  the  offspring  of 
their  material  and  spiritual  abundance.  They  came 
in  carriages,  on  horses,  on  foot,  filling  the  shaded 
porches  and  comfortable  seats  along  the  line  of  the 
procession.  The  various  divisions  of  the  industrial 
army  formed  at  points  right  and  left  of  the  line  and 
wheeled  into  their  places  with  perfect  order  and  pre- 
cision. The  children  formed  at  the  nearest  points 
and  headed  the  procession:  the  little  darlings  came 
on  with  a  swing  like  soldiers,  first  the  seven  year  old 
girls,  then  the  boys  dressed  in  silk  tights  and  waists 
that  displayed  the  form  and  their  graceful  motions. 
They  wore  no  caps;  their  hair  was  cut  close,  which 
gave  a  neat  appearance  to  the  head,  neck  and 
shoulders.  Next  to  these,  the  youths  were  graded, 
according  to  age,  up  to  the  fully  grown,  the  costume 
changing  from  the  children's  tights  gradually  into  the 
silken  trousers  of  the  ancient  Persians,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  a  very  broad,  embroidered  Mexican  strip,  that 
hung  from  the  waist  to  the  ankles  of  the  young  ladies 
giving  somewhat  the  general  appearance  of  a  skirt. 
The  costumes  of  the  men  athletes  were  pretty  tight  to 
the  form,  with  a  jacket  and  short  skirt  that  kept  the 
general  appearance  of  the  human  form,  similar  to  the 
ancient  Greek  military  costume. 

The  platoons  were  massed  in  color  so  that  one 
part  of  the  mass  would  relieve  the  other  by  harmony 
of  contrast;  thus  avoiding  confusion  of  effect,  and 
maintaining  the  whole  procession  in  a  simple,   broad 


If. 


"THE  BROTHER. 


245 


\  owned  the 
Jone  begged 
that  came  to 
ater  comfort, 
;r  arts,  better 
'ere  a  happy, 
3arts  by  the 
arts  welcon.'- 
offspring  of 
They  came 
the  shaded 
:  line  of  the 
he  industrial 
;he  line  and 
ier  and  pre- 
sarest  points 
arlings  came 
ven  year  old 
i  and  waists 
:ful  motions, 
close,  which 
d,  neck  and 
ere  graded, 
the  costume 
jally  into  the 
ith  the  addi- 
an  strip,  that 
young  ladies 
e  of  a  skirt, 
retty  tight  to 
lat  kept  the 
imilar  to  the 

so  that  one 
by  harmony 
'  effect,  and 
mple,   broad 


effect  of  color,  that  charmed  the  eye  by  its  judicious 
combination  and  great  simplicity,  as  each  wave  of 
color  came  on  blending  indistinctly  in  the  moving 
mass.  It  would  be  impossible  to  particularize  the 
beauty  and  charm  of  individuals  in  this  procession, 
whether  of  the  young,  the  youths,  the  young  men  and 
women,  or  the  older  liien  and  matrons.  The  beauty 
and  charm  of  individual  appearance,  like  the  beauty 
and  charm  of  individual  life,  was  absorbed  in  the  mass 
of  effect  of  color,  beauty  and  happiness,  to  which_ 
each  contributed  a  noble  part;  every  movement  was 
like  the  rythmic  beat  of  human  life,  every  face  shone 
with  the  peace  and  joy  born  of  comfort,  health  and 
the  spirit  of  justice  to  one  another. 

The  song  of  the  children  grew  fainter   and  fainter, 
as  distance  carried  the  sounds  from  thousands  of  litthe 
throats  towards  the  central  amusement  park,  and  the 
cadence  of  the    new   national   hymn,    "We    are   the 
J'eople,"  was  lost  to  the  ear  as  the  clatter  of  thousands 
of  hoofs  came  by  proudly  prancing  and  chafing  under 
the  restraining    reins   of  graceful    riders,  who   were 
plainly  masters  of  their  steeds.     The  female    athletes 
were  not  a  whit  inferior  to  the  men  in  the   equestrian 
display;  the  line  and  angle  of  their  bodies  gave  them 
the  samt  direct  power  in  the  saddle:    their   costume, 
which  was  similar  to  the  young    women    athletes  on 
^oot,  enabled  them  to  sit  on  their  horses  like  the  men 
and  the  broad  Mexican  strip,   on  the   outside,  looked 
like  trousers  combined  with  a  divided    skirt  of  folded 
silk*.     The  rein  hand  was  held  upward    so  as  to   give 
more  ease  and  power  in  management,  the  whip  hand 
hung  gracefully  down  back  of  the  thigh;  the  head  and 
neck  were  kept  firmly  on  a  line   with   the   body   and 
the  feet  hung  loosely  without  stirrups.     In  this   posi- 
tion the  riders,  men  and  women,  in  all  the  beauty  of 
their  costumes,  rose  and  fell  with  the  motion   of  the 
horses  as  though    one  with  the  steeds  they  rode. 


I*,- 


(*«■ 

!*?' 


246 


"THE  BROTHER. 


ffe 


t: 


§ 


The  performing  horses  were  massed  in  the  rear  of 
the  cavalcade,  and  were  inspirited  by  one  another  as 
well  as  by  their  riders  and  kept  up  a  variety  of  plung- 
ing, pawing,  stepping,  pacing  and  waltzing,  that  was 
not  only  exciting  but  lively  in  the  extreme. 

The  human  mind  has  a  strange  combination  of  tastes 
to  satisfy,  in  which  the  humorous  and  grotesque  ap- 
pear to  be  indispensable.  The  perfections  of  classic 
beauty,  the  animation  of  graceful  life,  the  intellectual 
splendors,  for  some  reason,  naturally  require  a  count- 
erbalance of  what  is  known  as  fun  and  humor,  which, 
in  this  glorious  pageant,  rivalling  the  most  elegant 
efforts  of  ancient  Greece,  was  not  wanting;  for  the 
clowns  were  not  confined  to  the  boys  and  young  men, 
the  girls  also  added  many  comicalities  to  the  outskirts 
of  the  pageant  as  it  passed,  that  gave  the  delight  of 
amusement  to  the  classic  beauty  of  the   civic    parade. 

It  was  a  pitiful  sight,  but  not  without  an  intense  de- 
gree of  absurdity,  to  see  the  ccniical  sport  these 
funny  young  people  made  of  a  poor  tramp  who  had 
stood  alone  on  the  line  of  the  procession  looking  as 
though  he  had  escaped  from  another  world.  This  off- 
spring of  the  monopoly  civilization  had  crept  across 
the'lines  of  a  new  era,  in  which  our  young  people  had 
lived  long  enough  to  see  the  absurdity  of  ^is  exist- 
ence, and  the  poor,  cheeky  tramp,  during  that  happy 
day  in  Peace  City,  was  obliged  to  bear  thd  burden  of 
amusing  ridicule,  for  the  sins  of  the  savage  civiliza- 
tion of  which  he  is  the  chief  ornament  and  product. 

Amon^the  many  amusements  that  followed  the 
civic  procession  and  festivities  of  yesterday,  we  must 
not  omit  to  mention  Edward  Pureheart's  play  of"  The 
Hypocrites"  at  the  Central  Theatre,  which  lacked  not 
for  talent  or  sufficient  support.  For  there  was  no 
anxiety  on  the  part  of  the  manager  about  his  rent, 
salaries  and  expenses.  These  all  belonged  to  the 
people,  were  performed  by  the  people,  for  the  benefit 


"THE  BROTHER. 


247 


the  rear  of 
another  as 

ty  of  plung- 

g,   that  was 

e. 

tion  of  tastes 
otesque  ap- 
ns    of  classic 

intellectual 
lire  a  count- 
jmor,  which, 
lost  elegant 
ing;    for  the 

young  men, 
the  outskirts 
e  delight  of 
ivic    parade. 

intense  de- 
sport  these 
ip  who    had 

looking  as 
d.  This  off- 
:rept  across 
',  people  had 
)f  ^ts  exist- 
1  that  happy 
i  burden  of 
ige  civiliza- 
i  product, 
allowed  the 
y,  we  must 
>lay  of" The 
h  lacked  not 
2re  was  no 
Jt  his  rent, 
iged  to  the 
r  the  benefit 


of  the  people,  who  pocketed  their  own  profits  in 
pleasure  and  enjoyment.  Only  in  a  community  such 
as  this,  where  hypocrasy  is  no  longer  a  requirement 
of  civilized  life,  could  such  intense  appreciation  be 
formed  of  the  subject  of  the  play.  To  the  next  gen- 
eration of  Peace  Community  there  would  perhaps  not 
be  the  same  degree  of  sadness  mixed  in  the  fun  of  the 
play;  because  ail  the  present  inhabitants  of  the  Com- 
munity were  born  and  bred  in  hypocrisy,  and  their 
emancipation  from  it  was  not  free  from  painful  recol- 
lections of  the  thralldom  of  its  slavery. 

The  author  has  certainly  equalled,  if  not  surpassed, 
the  great  Moliere  in  keen  perception  of  the  absurdi- 
ties of  this  species  of  vice.  It  must  be  admitted,  how- 
ever, that  Moliere  wrote  under  greater  difficulties  and 
for  audiences  of  hypocrites  incapable  of  appreciating 
the  refinements  in  Purehearts  play.  A  thorough, 
marked  and  deliberate  scoundrel,  like  "Tartuffe," 
only  could  reach  them.  Here  the  fortunate  author 
enjoyed  an  audience  that  recognized  themselves  in 
the  characters  of  the  play,  as  they  represented  some 
place  or  other  of  the  old  social   state. 

The  customary,  old  hackneyed  treatment  of  the 
hypocrite,  by  taking  some  unfortunate  teacher  of  piety 
for  a  character,  was  substituted  by  the  treatment  of 
all  characters  so  as  to  show  hypocrisy  in  every  shade 
of  social  life,  as  well  as  the  necessity  for  its  existence 
under  the  monopoly  system  of  society.  Pureheart 
has  so  managed  the  situation  and  the  language  of  his 
characters  as  to  bring  out  some  marked  peculiarity  in 
each,  to  show  it  effectively. 

We  had  the  respectable  lady  whose  attempt  to  im- 
press her  acquaintances  with  the  idea  that  she  was 
more  wealthy,  witty  and  accomplished  than  she  act- 
ually was.  Even  her  husband  was  deceived  and  hum- 
bugged, as  he,  in  turn,  deceived  the  partner, of  his 
bosom  by  a  thousand  arts  arising  from  his   conceited 


:<fO^' 


aua 


if.'' 


248 


"THE  BROTHER. 


W 


superiority.  The  habits  of  daily  business  life  were  so 
confirmed  in  his  nature  that  no  affection  or  holy 
thought  could  arise  in  his  breast  without  its  hypocrit- 
ical taint.  The  Madame's  beautiful  daughter  trained 
to  arts  of  deception,  which  she  practiced  with  such  in- 
finite skill,  masked  by  her  beauty  and  affected  girlish 
innocence,  upon  whom  again  her  coldly  intellectual 
lover  practiced  his  hypocritical  arts  with  even  greater 
skill;  so  that  the  speculative  father,  mother  and 
daughter,  and  the  lover  himself,  were  victimized. 

The  supporting  characters  to  the  main  features  of 
this  dramatic  representation  furnished  great  amuse- 
ment by  the  way  the  peculiarities  of  each  were  devel- 
oped; and  the  range  of  society  was  pretty  well  cover- 
ed without  confusing  the  play;  although  there  were 
many  ch  tracters  introduced,  yet  they  were  managed 
so  that  the  main  features  were  not  damaged,  all  be- 
coming tributary  to  the  main  idea.  Of  course,  the 
popular  preacher,  the  Jesuit  and  the  poor  parson, 
came  in  for  their  share  as  practical  pietists.  The 
church  deacon,  the  trustee  and  the  pompous  pew 
holder,  with  the  church  committee  women,  were  so 
presented  as  to  show,  in  a  most  amusing  way,  the  pe- 
culiarities of  each,  and  the  false  system  that  forces 
even  professional  pietists  to  the  moral  prostitution  of 
the  holy  things  of  our  more  exalted  nature.  The 
bank  president  and  directors  play  with  the  depositors 
stockholders  and  borrowers,  were  nicely  shown;  and, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  arts  of  the  depositors  and  bor- 
rowers to  impress  the  bank  officials  with  false  con- 
ceptions of  their  wealth:  the  hypocrisy  exhibited  here 
was  a  masterpiece  in  the  powerful  effort  of  intellect- 
ual scheming.  To  this  monied  interest  the  author 
attached  by  artful  means  the  various  commercial  and 
industrial  interests  and  the  syndicates,  trusts  and  com- 
binations of  trade,  so  as  to  show  the  small  arts  of  cun- 
ning and  the  weakness    of  their    operations,   which 


'THR  BBOTHEH.*^ 


249 


life  were  so 
ion    or   holy 
its  hypocrit- 
[htcr  trained 
vith  such  in- 
:cted   girlish 
intellectual 
even  greater 
mother    and 
timizcd. 
1  features  of 
rcsit  amuse- 
were  devci- 
well  cover- 
there    were 
•e    managed 
[ed,    all   be- 
course,    the 
oor    parson, 
etists.     The 
)mpous  pew 
;n.    were   so 
way,  the  pe- 
that    forces 
)stitution    of 
iture.      The 
e  depositors 
ihown;    and, 
ors  and  bor- 
false    con- 
;hibited  here 
of  intellect- 
the    author 
imercial  and 
its  and  com- 
;  arts  of  cun- 
:ions,   which 


mostly  depended  on  the  false  pretense  of  the  direc- 
tion of  their  dealings,  with  flourishes  through  the  press, 
and  the  manipulation  of  laws  and  elections  to  deceive 
the  public  into  confidence  au'l  so  obtain  the  use  of  its 
money  The  characters  of  Mr.  Mon«ygetter  and  bis 
legal  advisor  were  perhaps  the  most  amusing  in  the 
play;  because  of  money  being  the  base  of  all  the 
hypocrisy  of  the  rest  of  society.  If  Sancho  Panza's 
theory  is  correct,  that  our  virtues  depend  on  a  full 
stomach,  then  of-  )urse  the  money  (hat  pi.  cures  the 
food  to  till  it  must  be  the  principal  means  to  obtain 
this  virtuous  result.  And  so  it  proved.  In  this  char- 
acter it  is  clearly  shown  that  all  flesh  is  human  hard- 
ened only  by  conditions,  from  which  again  arises  de- 
fective rebisonins.,' and  self  deception,  th  it  throws  out 
its  breast  and  lives  on  impressions.  Moneygetter 
teared  the  spectre  of  misery,  and  actually  said  that 
"only  a  lew  circumstances  and  I  would  be  where 
these  wretched  people  are.  and  if  I  do  not  outstrip  all 
the  world  in  cunnin^f  and  scheming  to  get  goU<,  the 
world  will  sink  me  mercilessly  into  misery;  and  more, 
they  will  jeer  and  ridicule,  and  perhaps  kill  me.  To 
be  affluent  I  must  be  merciless.  Sentiment  or  human 
sympathy  is  only  weakness  in  the  struggle  to  get  to 
the  top  in  thi>  world,  or  to  hold  your  place  when  you 
get  there."  Mr.  Moneygetter,  Mrs.  Moneygetter  and 
their  daughter,  Mis.s  Moneygetter,  weic  all  operating 
the  public,  friends,  lovers  and  soci«ty  with  the  sole 
object  of  getting  money.  Kvcry  movement,  every 
thought,  every  expression,  was  in  this  direction.  Re- 
ligious duty  WiS  practiced  public!)  to  secun  public 
confidence  in  their  purity  of  character,  by  which  they, 
in  some  way  or  other,  could  get  at  their  friends'  purses 
by  the  dignified  father  selling  them  stocks,  or  becom- 
ing custodian  of  th  ir  securities.  Love  had  in  it  no 
other  motive  than  the  possession  of  money.  Art  and 
literature  were  cultivated  as  an  ornament  to  divert  at- 

3- 


ft 


i 


350 


•TIIK  BROTHER. 


(it. 

i 

V 


tention  from  the  mercenary  object  of  inonev-jjetting, 
and  to  gloss  over  the  hollowness  of  their  lives.  The 
upper  thought  of  the  Moncygetter  family  was  not  art- 
fully concealed  in  their  tastes;  for  elegance  of  attire, 
rich  interiors  and  sensuous  inclination  was  visible  in 
all  their  paintings  and  artistic  decorations  The  artists 
finding  their  only  means  of  subsistence  in  producing 
elaborate  luxuries,  to  gratify  the  spirit  of  an  age  in 
which  comfort  is  only  attainable  by  successful  money 
getting,  every  thought,  feeling  and  action  must  by 
force  contribute  to  it.  For  this  reason  alone  has  the 
ideal  gone  out  of  art,  sorrowfully  departing  to  the 
shades  of  inferno  where  her  pain  of  punishment  arises 
from  the  sorrows  of  regret  that  her  votaries  are  forced 
to  purchase  bread  by  the  prostitution  of  art  to  suit 
the  insensible  soul  of  the  money-getter. 

To  fully  appreciate  the  remarkable  merits  of  this 
play  it  is  necessary  to  witness  its  performance  by  the 
fine  talent  developed  so  recently  in  Peace  County. 
The  production  of  this  drama  gives  evidence  that  the 
•  decay  into  which  the  dramatic  art  had  fallen  during 
the  Nineteenth  Century  is  attributable  only  to  the  ab- 
sorbtion  of  every  worthy  quality  in  man  by  the  vices 
of  moneyg-etting;  and  that  the  art  immediately  re- 
vives under  proper  influences  where  money- getting 
no  longer  exists,  and  the  mind  acquires  again  its  nat- 
ural condition  by  the  relaxation  of  the  nerves  from 
the  strain  of  a  desperate,  competitive,  social  life. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  mention  the  fact  of  the  redevel- 
opment of  man's  better  nature  under  our  social  state, 
in  this  land  of  peace;  allusion  to  self-evident  condi- 
tions is  superfluous.  The  only  interest  attaching  to 
even  an  observation  that  had  reference  to  our  free- 
dom from  the  horrors  of  the  great  world  around  us. 
would  come  from  the  recollection  of  the  social  horrors 
in  which  this  generation  was  born  and  nurtured,  and 
from  which  by  the  efforts  of  good  men  who  gathered 


,V!I 
''A 


;1 


■'■i 


1 


"■'/!■:.■.. v^  .■;'V¥<*;>"'"''| 


■r.y;',«".4^;*£i": -71';  ijif* 


1 


'THK  BROTHKR. 


25' 


(V-getting, 
res.  The 
as  not  art- 
of  attire, 
visible  in 
rhe  artists 
producing 
an  age  in 
sful  money 
I  must  by 
c  has  the 
ig  to  the 
lent  arises 
are  forced 
irt  to    suit 

ts  of"  this 
nee  by  the 
e  County. 
:e  that  the 
en  during 
to  the  ab- 

the  vices 
liately  re- 
;y- getting 
lin  its  nat- 
rves  from 
1  life. 

le  redevel- 
ocial  state, 
ent  condi- 
:aching    to 

our  free- 
around  us, 
:ial  horrors 
tured,  and 
>  gathered 


the  wisdom  of  the  good  of  all  times  and  by  its  analy- 
sis found  the  cause  of  social  disease  and  a  remedy,  by 
which  the  few  thousands  of  inhabitants  of  Peace 
County  are  the  first  of  all  the  earth  to  emancipate 
themselves;  horrors  which  have  been  so  instructively 
and  amusingly  represented  by  the  young  author  in 
this  m;isterpiece. 

We  have  avoided  mentioning  that  side  oT  the  play 
which  exhibits  the  degraded  victims  of  the  successful 
money-getting  few  and  their  worshipping  friends. 
The  sickening  records  of  this  side  of  life  've  know  too 
well  and  can  only  excuse  its  presence  in  the  play  be- 
cause it  represents  the  awful  results  to  society  in 
money-getting  communities.  It  may  be  said  that  the 
production  of  this  play  in  our  day,  is  a  fortunate  cir- 
cumstance; for  no  future  generation  of  this  Communi- 
ty, under  our  changed  conditions,  can  possibly  pro- 
duce from  history  a  drama  in  which  the  characters 
could  be  so  truthfully  drawn  c  these  living,  breath- 
ing, morally  destitute  beings,  who.  one  and  all,  come 
under  the  general  title:  "The  Hypocrites." 

"Ha,  ha,  ha!  "laughed  Comus.  "Ha,  ha,  ha  J  The 
arts  f)f  deception  !  Very  good;  ha,  ha,  ha  !  I  can  tell 
you  some  more  of  these  arts,  ha,  ha.  ha !  in  addition 
to  the  rottenness  of  their  social  system.  The  moral, 
religious,  artistic,  literary,  political,  industrial  and 
commercial  prostition  in  their  happy  land  of  the  free 
to  rob  as  much  as  you  could.  The  merchant,  god  of 
thieving  and  lying,  as  Mercury  was  called,  had,  with 
his  gold,  purchased  the  virtue  of  science  to  teach  the 
art  ot  selling — the  art  of  selling,  mind  you;  not  the 
art  of  buying,  but  the  art  of  selling — to  enable  the 
merchant  to  be  a  successful  seller.  The  art  was  based 


!-■■■• 


1^ 


"THE  BROTHER." 


on,    How  to  read  character.     Now,   when   the  buyer 
came  in,  the  seller  proceeded  to    read    his    character 

■■  from  certain  rules  of  physiognomy  to  seeifhewa.s  hard 
ind  close,  and  to  sell  him  accordingly;  if  he  was  a 
good,  open,  honest,  frank  sort  of  a  man,  or  a  trusting 
female,  easily  deceived,  the  seller,  by  reading  his  or 
her  character,  could  judge  how  much  more  he  could 
charge  above  the  price  he  sold  to  the  close,  stingy 
buyer;  and  thus  cheat  to  that  extent;  get  rich  off  these 
stolen  profits,  live  in  splendor,  be  honored  as  a  smart, 
successful  business  man,  and  perhaps  become  the 
head  of  the  nation.  From  top  to  bottom  they  were 
a  nation  of  peddlars.  It  did  not  matter  whether  they 
peddled  railroads,  stocks  or  bonds,  promissary  notes, 
grain,  stocks,  piety,  science,  or  in  the  arts  of  adulter- 

-ation,  the  greatest  of  all  the  industrial  arts,  they  were 
only  peddlars,  cheating,  lying  and  robbing  each 
other.  The  whol?  of  society  was  a  lie,  every  action 
and  thought  was  pretense  and  falsehood;  and  under 
their  system  it  could  be  no  other  way.  I  could  not 
look  in  the  face  of  any  man,  woman,  or  child,  but  I 
saw  in  every  movement  to  some  degree  the  rotten- 
ness of  the  social  carcass.  Oh  !  it  was  sickening! 
Bellamy's  word  'insane'  oniy  expressed  it;  and  Pure- 
heart  has  .struck  it  rich  in  'The  Play  of  the  Hypo- 
crites.'— Insane  hypocrites  ! " 


-.iM^ti^-^^l  - -•  V.-*i^*- 


the  buyer 
i  character 
le  was  hard 
f  he  was  a 
r  a  trusting 
ing  his  or 
;  he  could 
lose,  stingy 
ch  off  these 
as  a  smart, 
ecome  the 
they  were 
hether  they 
sary  notes, 
of  adulter- 
1,  they  were 
bbin'g  each 
:very  action 
and  under 
[  could  not 
hild,  but  I 
the  rotten- 
sickening  ! 
:;  and  Pure- 
the  Hypo- 


CHaPTER  XX. 


THE  PRIESTS. 


"Men  may  differ  in  tastes  and  likings,  but  their  in- 
tellects cannot  differ  in  judgement  except  through 
superstition  or  error.  As  science  advances  diversity 
of  opinion  die.s  away  and  unity  of  knowledge  takes 
place." — Patrick  Edward  Dove. 

"Now  Comus,  if  you  are  not  tired  of  my  importu- 
nate inquiries,  I  would  like  to  refer  you  to  a  chapter 
by  'The  Brother,'  in  his  seventh  book,  in  reference 
to  the  Priests." 

"My  dear  sir,  I  ? ;r.  never  tired  and  will  gladly  listen 
to  anything  you  have  to  say  about  the  records  of  the 
vault,  for  I  am  not  only  pleased  with  the  effect  they 
have  had  on  your  age  and  civilization,  but  also  with 
your  interest  in  obtaining  a  knowledge  of  the  past." 

"Thanks  Contus.  Here  is  the  chapter,  I  will  |ead  it; 
One  of  the  great  causes  of  the  decline  of  civiliza- 
tion was  the  Priests.  Indeed,  I  may  say  that  in  all 
civilizations  the  Priests  have  been  one  of  the  greatest 
obstacles  to  its  advancement;  and  have  been  jointly 
with  the  monopolists  the  two  curses  that  have  blight- 
ed every  hope  for  the  liberation  of  the  body  and  sou! 
of  man.  these  two,  parties  absorbed  all  the  product 
of  the  working   part  of  the  population. 


254 


•THE  BROTHER." 


1*,:^- 


i^*  .>'•"  t 


■!--*'->-*i. 


The  process  of  the  mrnopoUsts  in  getting  possess- 
ion of  the  land  on    'hich  the  people  lived,  and   of  all 
the  means  of  production;  such  as,  the  capital    in   ma- 
chines and  appliances  for  trade   and  the    natural    in- 
crease cr  improven.ent  in  the   things  the    people  pro- 
duced,   was    assisted    by     the    Priests,     who    taught 
obedience  to  the  oppressed.     This  was   accomplished 
by  commencing  with  the  very  young  child  and  train- 
ing Its  mind  to  l^e'ieve  in  superstitions,  so  that  when  it 
became  an  adult  and  able  to  produce,  the  superstitions 
fastened  on  its  mind  rendered  ea.sy  the  process  of  tak- 
ing away  from  it  all    that   it    produced,    leaving    only 
enough  to  support  life  in  the  most  brutal  and  degraded 
form  until  the  whole  mass  of  the  people  became  coarse 
and  low,  farther  and  farther  removed  from    the   intel- 
lectual standard,  showing  in  their  faces  ihe    original 
type  of  the  brute  monkey  and  n-any  of  the  lower  ani- 
mals.    It  may  seem  strange,  indeed,    almost  impossi- 
ble, to  a  future  race  of  people  that  such  things    could 
be.     borne  explanation  of  the   way   these  things  were 
done  may  have  an  influence  in  rendering  such  crimes 
against  humanity  comprehensible.     It  must   be    said 
in  the  first  place,   that  the   profession    of  the    Priests. 
I.  e.,  the  ground-work  of  their   teachings,  was    highly 
commendrblc.     Those  to  whom  I  particularly    refer 
who  assisted    so  powerfully   to    destroy    this   race   of 
men  and  their  civilization,  were  organized  into  a  fra- 
ternity to  teach  the  words  of  Chrjsc.  a  Jew  who    livod 
two  thousand  years  before  our  time  whose    teachings 
were  so  noble  and  just  to  all.  that  they    were    called 
Ood-hke.     His  bottom  principle  in   the  humanitarian 
pnilosophy  he  taught,  was:  "Love  to  all."     And    the 
guide  to  his  practice    was:    "Do    unto   others  as    you 
would  have  others  do  unto  you.". This   teaching  com- 
mended itself  to  every  mind,  because  of  its    antithesis 
to  cruelty  and  injustice,  which  every    being    naturally 
feels— the  avoidance  of  harm  to  ourselves  being  the 


^,*fc'-,'^:i  ;5-.,-'r'.^7-."=--'!*?*"i'.^"  '■ 


-'h  ^\-^'^i^hii'yis,^'^v^-''/^fv^^^  iM 


:J^ 


J.  IP  i4JU-.JJ,J 


tting  possess- 
d,  and  of  all 
pital  in  ma- 
;  natural  in- 
'    people  pro- 

who  taught 
accomplished 
Id  and  train- 
}  that  when  it 
;  superstitions 
rocess  of  tak- 
leaving  only 
md  degraded 
ecame  coarse 
m    the   intel- 

ihe  original 
rie  lower  ani- 
nost  impossi- 
things  could, 
e  things  were 
J  such  crimes 
lust  be  said, 
r  the  Priests, 
>,  was  highly 
cularly    refer. 

this  race  of 
sd  into  a  fra- 
:w  who  lived 
ise    teachings 

were  called 
humanitarian 
1."  And  the 
>thers  as  you 
eaching  corn- 
its  antithesis 
ing  naturally 
ves  being  the 


•THE  BROTHER. 


255 


first  natural  imprecsion  of  happiness  and  good;   doing 
as  you  would  be  done  by  suggested  the   idea  that  no 
one  who  practiced  this    philosophy   would   take  that 
which  belonged  to  another,  or  which  by  right  was  his. 
This  philosophy  was  very  beautiful  and  attractive  to 
the  people,  commending  itself  to  both  the    intelligent 
and  the  ignorant;  so  that  it  was  hard  to  combat  the 
corruptions  into  which  it  had  fallen,  having  so  great  a 
hold  on  the  minds  of  the  people  who  were  trained   in 
it.     Nothing  the  human  mind  could    conceive   w  >uld 
have  been  so  effective  to  enslave  the  people,  Fo.-  this 
exalted  teaching  of  Christ  was  made  the  means  of  es- 
tablishing the  most  degraded  superstitions  to  enchain 
the  minds  of  men  generation  after  generation  for   two 
thousand  years;  first  getting  control   of  the    ignorant 
So  that  the  monopolists  could  rob   them,    the    Priests 
sharing  in  the  plunder;  and  then  to  even    get   control 
of  the  monopolists  themselves  through   their   families 
and  dependents,  by  infinite  arts,  of  which    they    were 
master,  and  which  they  handled  with  the  greatest  pre- 
cision   without    mercy,    through    their  compact    and 
sworn  organization  which  extended  over  all  the  world 
having  its  centre  in    a  city   called   Rome,    situated  in 
Italy,  one  of  the  peninsulas   on  the  south  of  Europe. 
In  this  gieat  organization  of  Priests,  so  widely   ex- 
tended, there  were  many  minor  organizations  or    fra- 
ternities, called  by  different  names   but  all    subject   to 
one  control.     The  most  skillful,  cunning  and    danger- 
ous, was  one  called  the  Jesuits,  a  fraternity  the  mem- 
bers  of  which  trained     themselves    to    the    greatest 
possible  self-abnegation,  which  they    exemplified  by 
performing  the  most  abasing  acts  of  humil'ty  toward 
each  other.    Individually,  they  considered  themselves 
nothing,  their  identity  being  absorbed  in  the  common 
purpose  of  their  order;  so  that    they  would    under  the 
absolute  mandates  of  their  General   go  to  any  part  of 
the    world,     however  dangerous,    and    execute   any 


'■SS. 


m 


iS^ 


'THE  BROTHER." 


V- 


e^' 


orders  given  them,  even  to  the  sacrifice  of  their  own 
or  the  lives  of  others,  should  it  suit  their  purposes  for 
the  achievement  of  the  object  they  had  in  view,  viz.: 
'  to  obtain  control  of  th«  education  and  the  minds  of 
the  people  ov«r  the  whole  earth,  and  to  obtain  all  the 
wealth  of  the  world  by  influencing  the  minds  of  the 
rich  people  or  their  descendants  to  give  or  bequeath 
them  their  riches,  always  under  the  pretense  of  con- 
tributing it  to  holy  purposes. 

This  society  chased  the  wealthy  famirics  age  after 
age  with  such  deadly  purpose  and  secrecy  that  they 
were  enabled  to  add  mai.y  of  the  great  fortunes  of 
the  monopolists  to  the  eternal  fleeeings  of  the  poor, 
which  also  were  obtaineii  by  the  same  unerring  skill 
through  the  control  of  the  people  by  keeping  them  in 
benighted  ignorance.  Their  principal  newspaper,  the 
"Civita  CatholicH,"  published  in  Rome,  openly  pro- 
claimed that  "the  people  did  not  need  knowledge  and 
enlightenment;  All  they  needed  in  this  life  was  'bread 
and  the  Catechism.'"  The  Catechism  was  a  book 
contaming  the  rules  of  their  dogma  or  creed. 

This  fraternity  of  the  Jesuits  became  feared  and 
hated  by  the  monopolists  of  Europe,  the  nobles  or 
titled  persons  who  controlled  the  land  and  the  gov- 
ernment. For  these  nobles  continually  felt  the  power 
and  encroachment  of  this  priestly  order  upon  them. 
So  that  the  Jesuits  were  banished  from  .=5everal  coun- 
tries, coming  to  America  as  a  refuge  which  offered  a 
grand  field  for  their  operations.  Of  course  they  only 
became  more  secret  in  the  countries  from  which  they 
were  banished,  concealing  themselves  under  the  guise 
of  citizens  and  working  their  way  into  the  ofifices  of 
the  governments,  into  the  schools,  colleges  and  uni- 
versities, whereth-v  cunningly  directed  the  studies, 
education,  and  worked  privately  through  others  of 
the  order  to  control  the  minds  of  the  youth  and 
women  with  the  object  of  regaining  their   power  and 


':i^ 


MIMifBif^^ 


"THE  BROTHER." 


257 


;  of  their  own 
r  purposes  for 
in  view,  viz.: 
the  minds  of 
obtain  all  the 
minds  of  the 
:  or  bequeath 
:tense  of  con- 
ies age  after 
recy  that  they 
t  fortunes  of 
of  the  pobr, 
tnerring  skill 
L'ping  them  in 
ewapaper,  the 

openly  pro- 
no  wledge  and 
fe  was   'bread 

was  a  book 
reed. 

e  feared  and 
he  nobles  or 
-nd  the  gov- 
felt  the  power 

upon  them, 
several  coun- 
lich  offered  a 
rse  they  only 
m  which  they 
nder  the  guise 
the  offices  of 
:ges  and  uni- 
d  the  studies, 
ugh  others  of 
u*  youth  and 
;ir   power  and 


vvcalth.  One  of  the  strongest  methods  used  was  to 
secretly  obtain  knowledge  of  the  private  affairs  of 
those  rnost  hostile  to  them,  and  by  the  use  of  their 
great  wealth  and  secret  arts  managed  to  cripple  and 
destroy  their  enemy's  fortune  or  reputation,  sparing 
no  means  however  wicked  (and  against  the  teachings 
of  Christ,  whom  they  held  aloft  with  such  pomp  as 
their  tnodel)  to  ruin  their  victim,  using  him  as  an  ex- 
ample of  terror  to  the  rest  of  their  enemies  and  the 
people  of  the  awful  fate  to  be  expected  by  anyone, 
however  strong  and  great,  who  oppo.sed  their  projects. 
This  was  easily  managed  by  them,  for  a  part  of  their 
supeistition  was  that  their  devotees  must  come  regu- 
larly and  confess  their  siris  into  the  Priest's  ear,  who. 
by  their  superior  training  and  skill,  could  draw  from 
the  ignorant  men  and  weak  wovner?  such  facts  as  they 
needed  to  work  the  ruin  of  those  whose  power  or 
wealth  they  coveted  and  secure  it  for  themselves. 

With  the  rapid  rise  of  the  monopoU.sts  in  the  United 
States  came  the  banished  Jesuits  in  great  numbers. 
They  established  themselves  in  this  fair  land  and  set 
inJusfriously  to  work  in  their  new  home,  where  the 
professed  liberty  of  the  country  gave  them  unre- 
strictei  frj;ilom  to  practice  their  art  upon  the  people. 

They  selected  the  richest  valleys  and  most  pros- 
perous populations  for  thd  establishment  of  schools 
and  colleges  for  the  training  of  the  young  men  and 
boys.  ■  In  addition  to  these  were  Orders  of  holy  wom- 
en which  had  peculiar  rites  and  ceremonies.  These 
presented  themselves  always  with  modest  mein  and 
down  cast  eyes,  wearing  plain  habits,  with  a  cross 
suspended  to  their  waisf.  by  a  cord.  The  most  beau^ 
tiful-  and  attractive  of  these  women  were  put  forward 
aS' principals  in  the  educational  work  of  schools  for 
young  ladies,  to  whom  they  ta-^iit  French,  poetry, 
needle  work,  painting,  the  drama,  religious  senti- 
ment; and  to  admire  holy  objects — fetiches;  such  as, 
33 


2<8 


'THE  aROTMEft.' 


£- 


holy  water,  crucifixes,  relics  of  Saints,  bone-,  splinters 
of  crosses,  and  old  rags  of  martyrs.     These    schools 
were  systeois  or  plans  of  bpw  not  to  educate;  to   give 
only  early  draining  of  the  mind  to  supestition   to   se- 
cure them  in  a  meek,  obedient  state,  so  that  the  Priests 
could  roD  them  through  life  as  well  as  their    offspring 
after  them      So  great  was  the  fear   of  enlightenment 
intcrfermg    with    this  work    of  the   Priests    on    these 
young  minds   that  they   adopted    what  was   called    a 
Calender,  which  gave  the  names  of  all  books    written 
by  wise  and  good  men  that  in  any  way  tended  to  throw 
the  light  of  intelligence  on  the  doings  of  the    Priests 
or  their  plundering  Order.    These  books  the  devotees 
were  forbidden  to  read.     And    wherever   they    could. 
the  publication  of  them    was   prevented  or    the    text 
altered,  particularly  in  historical  accounts    that    were 
unfavorable  to  them  or  recorded  their  wickedness.    . 
A  notable  American  Priest,  one  McGlynn,  who  ad- 
-  vocated  the  public  school  system  in  preference  to  the 
Priest  school  system,  was  dreadfully  persecuted.  Every 
effort  was  made  to  destroy  him.     The  excommunica- 
tion and  curse  of  t    e  head    pontiff  at    Rome    was   put 
upon  him  to  influence  the  faithful,    ignorant   followers 
of  this  Church  against  this  noble,  independent  man. 

The  nations  under  priestcraft  have  always  been  the 
most  backw.ird  in  intelligfnce  and  social  improve- 
ments. Science  and  learning  with  them  have  sicken- 
ed  and  died.  Where  priestly  influence  has  had  its 
greatest  opportunit>  and  development,  as  it  had  in 
Europe  from  the  Third  to  the  Eighteenth  centuries, 
the  people  have  sunk  to  the  level  of  brutes;  « iiile  the 
governmg  class,  priests  and  nobles,  exhibited  in  their 
plans  and  schemes  to  hold  these  degraded  wretches 
in  subjection,  the  most  heartless  vices  of  unqualified 
meanness. 

Millionairism  requires  the  marshalling  of  the  mul- 
titude of  villains,  whom   it   creates   into  a   licentious 


;  .■•■.|--v^v  ■■'„  V,'' 


\v'-':-l:^W 


•'■'-':>•  •■>. 


i  K^^eSjf  Vfe^Mn&i-,  ^^vvjijji; 


I^JHflBHIK 


.y  JHIIjl]  ijim  jijm-  llj    .,,111., 


ic^,  splinters 
esc  schools 
ite;  to  give 
tion  to  se- 
Lt  the  Priests 
ir  offspring 
lightenment 
;s  on  these 
as  called  a 
oks  written 
Jed  to  throw 
the  Priests 
the  devotees 
they  could. 
or  the  text 
I  that  were 
kedness.  ■ 
nn,  who  ad- 
rence  to  the 
:uted.  Every 
communica- 
ne  was  put 
nt  followers 
dent  man. 
lys  been  the 
al  improve- 
have  sicken- 
has  had  its 
,s  it  had  in 
;h  centuries, 
?s;  Hl\ile  the 
lited  in  their 
ed  wretches 
f  unqualified 

of  the    mul- 
a   licentious 


.'W'lf^'?-'! 


'■'1 


'THK  BROTHER. 


259 


army,  for  its  support      It  requires  the    Pinkerton   spy 
system  for  protection;  the  control  of  legislatures    and 
the  making  of  laws.    It  requires  the  martyrdom  of  the 
snjall  element  who  would  reform    society  to   maintain 
its  security,  and  in  their  persecution  to  death  it  meets 
the  resistance  of  dynamite,    that    closes  up  the   ranks 
of  millionaires,  and    results  in    the  obliteration    of  the 
last  vestige  of  human  reform  by  the  howling,  depend- 
ent mob.     It  brings    struggles  for    supremacy  among 
themselves;  increase  of  vicious    natures    of  their  off- 
spring by  corrupt  mothers,  with  an  increasing  velocity 
towards  the  savage  state.     This  is  but  a   repetition  of 
the  history  of  the    brutalizing    effect  of  the  appalling 
despotisms  that  have  been  developed  by  the  debasing 
superstitions  of  ecclesiasticism:    one.    the    control    of 
the  masses  through   ignorance  and    MujHMstitlim  so  as 
to  rob  them;    the    other,    the    vontrol    of  thr    niasses 
through  monopoK    despotism    for    ibe  same    purpose. 
The  methods  are  somewhat    diflTpn'iit    but    the  effects 
ar«  the  same.     Both  find  their  only  security  in  debas- 
ing and  corrupting  humanity  and  end  in  the  oblitera- 
tton  of  civilized   life. 

So  successful  have  the  Priests  and  adherents  been 
in  preventing  this  seething,  vile  mass  of  superstitious 
beings  from  being  penetrated  by  the  brilliant  splen- 
dors of  science,  developed' in  our  era.  by  obstructing 
education  in  every  way  that  does  not  support  their 
dogmas,  or  that  would  detract  the  attention  of  the 
superstitious  slaves  from  the  mystir  chains  of  their 
thralldom,  that  we  have  now  reached  the  closing 
years  of  a  century  of  invention  and  scientific  discovery 
that  has  enabled  man  to  speak  by  telegraph  around 
the  earth  in  a  few  minutes  and  to  encircle  by  railroad 
and  steamboat  its  vast  oceans  and  continents  m 
seventy-four  days;  and  still  whole  nations  and  parts 
of  nations  exist  in  the  same  ignorance  and  degrada- 
tion they  possessed  during   the  dark    ages  of  Priestly 


i6o 


'THE  HKOTHER," 


rule.       It  is  from  these  sections  of  the  earth  that   the 
brutahzed  slaves  are  sent  in  myriads  to  compete  with 
American   workmen,   as  the  people    are   callf.-d    who 
work.        It  is    this  degraded  and   priest-ridden    horde 
.       whose  entrance  into  the   country  is    secretly    assisted 
by  the  a^rents  of  the    monopolists  and  their   subservi- 
ent officials  at  Washington  and  the  sea  ports.       It  is 
these  superstitious  wretches  of  alien  race    and    langu- 
age who  are  marshalled  in  vast  armies  with  the  south- 
ern  negroes  and  the  demoralized  tramps  of  the  north. 
,:    at  this  unhappy  moment    while    I    am    writing    these 
records  for  the  Vault,  that  are    under    the    monopoly 
chiefs  and    the    priests,    who   control    them    through 
^   their  superstitions,  rapidly  obliterating   every    vestige 
,    i  pf  the  sublime  work  of  the  nineteenth  century  scientists. 

• 

Note  -The  author  has  seen  these  aliens  in  their 
native  countries  living  in  a  manner  unfit  for  descrip- 
tion  in  these  pages,  where  they  had  the  benefit,  or 
misfortune  rather,  of  priestly  control  and  education 
for  many  centuries.  In  the  fields  old  ;,k,i  and  women 
were  harnessed  together  dragging  heavy  harrow  uvt-r 
the  ground  that  were  unfit  for  a  horse.  The  product 
of  this  degi-ading  labor  was  all  absorbed  by  the  nobles 
and  the  priests. 

In  the  city  of  Rome  under  Pope  Fii-  f  ^' 
5-    were  almost  impassible    for    human 

acts  being  performed  publicly  without  shann  while 
the  fat  Priests,  the  sole  governors,  roiled  by  in  their 
equipages  clad  in  purple,  scarlet  and  lace,  preceded 
by  cavalry  with  drawn  sabres  to  clear  the  way  for 
these  well  fed  and  wined  holy  men  bv  frequently 
cutting  down  some  of  the  degraded  r.'.bble. 

At  this  p(Tif)d  the  French  army,  which  yas  station- 
ed in  Rome  to  protect^  the  Pope  from  the  growing 
discontent  of  the  oeople.  in  order  ta  care  for  the 
health  of  tUeii  Miijulers,  forced  some  sanitary    rejyula 


',,'-<•■•  (w-T^i.-s'W;; 


rw^rfj^<i0ir:. 


1 


'THK  BROTHER. 


i6i 


th  that  the 
)mpete  with 
called  who 
Iden  horde 
tly  assisted 
r  subservi- 
orts.  It  is 
and  langu- 
h  the  south- 
)f  the  north, 
itinf^  these 
monopoly 
:m  through 
ery  vestige 
■y  scientists. 

ns  in  their 
or  descrip- 
henefit,  or 
I  education 
;ind  women 
arrov«.  uvrr 
riie  pro''uct 
y  the  nobles 


;  nece.-;  .\ 
lamc    while 

by  in  their 
i,  preceded 
he    way   for 

frequently 

lyas  station- 
he  growing 
are  for  the 
ary   regula 


tions  that  made  t'  e  Papal  city  barely  tolerable. 

Every  othei  man  in  thatj|day  was  a  priest  or  a  sol- 
dier. The  people  were  one  and  all  spies  upon  each 
other.  Every  word  or  act  was  carried  to  the  Priests 
through  the  oracular  confesson;  and  those  who  dis- 
pleased them  disappeared  to  the  dungeons  of  Ameri'ca 
without  hearing  or  trial.  In  the  Jews'  quarter  of 
Rome  the  scenes  were  sickening.  To  relate  them 
would  awaken  in(  edulity  in  the  mind  of  the  reader. 
One  instance  that  I  saw  may  be  mentioned  to  show 
the  hate  cultivated  by  the  Priests  against  this  uncon- 
verted race.  Two  children  had  disappeared.  The 
ignorant  christians  believed  that  the  Jews  had  mur- 
tlered  them  for  sacrifice  at  the  feast  of  the  Passover, 
and  surrounding  their  quarter  stoned  during  four  days 
every  Israelite  who  appeared.  This  riot  was  stopped 
on  the  fourth  day  by  the  return  of  the  children  with  a 
country  woman  with  whom  they  had  gone  away  on 
her  market  cart. 

C'onius  gave  a  yell  of  laughter  and  rolled  on  the 
fln(,r  where  he  kicked,  held  his  sides  and  roared  in 
the  most  jncontrollable  way,  until  the  historian  be- 
came afTecte  I  with  hin  intense  amusement  over  the 
stupid  follies  of  former  ages  and  laughed  at  Comus 
til!  tears  came  to  his  eyes.  *rhey  were  both  a  good 
while  recovering  themselyes;  every  few  minutes 
breaking  out  again  as  the  mind  brought  up  some 
amusing  thought  in  connection  with  the;  subject,  till, 
at  last,  when  both  had  laughed  themselves  out,  they 
separated  for  the;  night,  Comus    chuckling  to    himself 


"THE  BKOTHKR." 


..:^.::  ^ 


as    he    walked    thrbuffh    the    daTkness    tov  ,<rds    the 
house  of  Agj o.     "  Tlunk, "  said,  he  to  h.  nsalf,--  of  the 


'!):■*  I 


COMUS  LAUGHING  AT  THE  I'RIKSTS. 


'  American  nation  handing  over  its  women  and  child- 
ren to  the  Priests  to  be  educated  in  superstition  !  ha, 
ha,  ha;  he,  he,  he !"  and   his  voice  died  away. 


•■Mti:.-.' .v'l- ■ 


/>    •  • 


x'y^f^'  ■ 

r  '■'''■*   ';■ 

',,  '  ■■'■ 

■  J:r^-. '. 

r;v:.i%,-\*. 

,\-'-: 

•;''''>;  '  -^ 

■•.'*''•'■-   ^ 

:.:irs'; 

^-  .'^-'■^K-.: 

.'*:- 

''< ',»?  •-'  ■ 

.•,-..:.^^  \-y^:.. 

■^i:'-vHiV 

•.'■■' 

-irf,.  ..-t-^F;, ;,  •^!.*',S':;v-',;yii*^-.s;y>t;;:A.  ■  !i,.i;4?sJl,^ 


'•■•;-  ':V. 


i-->.' 


^k 


■«a 


ipi        ji  imr^rmm* 


iB^.i5  Wftss^vu  1-  ly  fc-'"  ■r.frr 


)%v.4rcis    the 
self,-"  of  the 


vs. 

and  child- 
stition !  ha, 
vay. 


CHAPTER   XXI.  .       ; 

KERAMICQS*  STORY  OF  THK    DESTRUCTION. 
LXPULSIOV   t)F  COMUS.  * 

"  Oh  !  Keramicos.  here  comen  Comus !  "  Sappho 
flew  to  meet  him  with  such  graceful  motion  and  aban- 
donment of  joy  in  her  expression  that  she  looked  like 
a  fi{{ure  cut  from  one  of  Keramicos'  pictures. 

"  Where  have  you  been  so  long?  I  have  not  seen 
your  merry  face  since  >  ou  kissed  me  at  my  wed/^ing. 
I  began  to  think  that  you  had  left  us  altogether." 

"No,  no,  my  lovely  fair  one;  it  would  have  been  in- 
trusion your  honeymoon  to  annoy  you  by  my  pres- 
ence. Keramicos  would  surely  have  been  jealous  to 
allow  me  a  moment  c(  your  company.  So,  for  >our 
happiness.  I  have  suffered  the  martyrdom  of  absence 
from  you  both." 

"  You  are  both  kind  and  cruel.  Comus.  But  we  will 
yield  to  the  joy  of  your  generous  visit.  And  now  be 
seated  aiJ  tell  how  you  have  been  amusing  yourself 
during  the  interval. " 

*•  There  is  no  language  known  to  me  by  which  I 
could  describe  the  pleasure  and  satisfaction  I  feel  in 
all  I  .see  in  this  charming  city  and  country;  each  new 
development  fills  me  with  wonder,  leaving  nothing  to 


,  # 


f .  \4 


I 


M 


IMAGE  EVALUi 
TEST  TARGET  ( 


!.0 


I.I 


^  IIIIM 

^  m 
^  m 
^  tig 


1.25      1.4 

^ 

6"     — 

cry      (^      >• 


y^^^ 


o^. 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


L 


'  ^nfi  iftmH— *B>''«—>»- 


/lAGE  EVALUATION 
EST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


!.0 


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ciences 
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23  WEST  MAiN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


r^ 


ffifiy^wi'.s,- 


—WSK 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  !nst 


wrm^mi^ 


MH 
te 


CiHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


roreproductions  /  institut  camdien  de  microreproductions  historiquas 


1t64 


"THE  BROTHER." 


t   : 


■'v.f.;>!*. 


" ,'.' 


be  desired.  The  more  I  learn  of  the  founder  of  your 
'^J:-f-->y.  civilization  and  the  records  of  his  wonderful  Vault,  the 
.':!"^''i'''"<?'"e  interested  I  become  in  the  study  of  the  horrors 
'  ,  .,  ;  ^  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived;  the  more  amazed  at  his 
J"*^yi*  *°*' ^"'^  sacrifice  to  collect  the  wisdom  and  knowl- 
'^'^^.  f'-".  ^'^Se  of  mankind  for  |iossible  but,  to  him,  almost  im- 
,"vi$  '  probable  future  generations.  Could  he  but  realize  the 
:  -^  •■esults  of  his  labor  I  am  sure  it  would  fully   repay  the 

J^.?; -;^w.;  martyrdom  of  his  sad  life   by  the    spectacle    of  happy 
r-v-J^'^^^ian'ty.  among  whom  you,  my  dear  lady,   are   per- 
haps the  happiest." 

"It  is  true,  Comus,  I  am  supremely  happy  and  hope 
.that  you  will  en  ieavor  to  obliterate  the  disagreeable 
past  and  become  as  happy  as  we  are.  You  have 
.doubtless  been  studying  the  records  of -The  Brother' 
.  since  you  left  us,  for  the  subject  seems  to  be  ever  pres- 
ent in  your  mind." 

"Yes,  dear  lady,  the  beauty  and  joy  of  life  I  see  on 
!.. every  hand,  force  my  mind  to  revert  to  him  as  the 
.author  of  all  your  happiness.  For,  had  it  not  been 
for  his  wonderful  records,  you  would  in  all  probability 
have  been  today  suffering  all  the  miseries  of  your  sis- 
ters of  former  ages  instead  of  enjoying  the  perfect 
bliss  of  yaur  present  state." 

Sappho  shuddered,  for  she  was  familiar  with  "The 
Brother's"  descriptions  of  the  floating  wrecks  of  hum- 
an lives  as  they  were  engulphed  in  a  sea  of  social 
crime,  where  innocence,  virtue,  or  merit,  furnished  no 
barrier  to  its  overwhelming  waves.  Fearing  a  disa- 
greeable turn  in  the  conversation,  Comus  artfully  be- 
gan to  talk  of  the  beauty  of  the  artists'  exhibit  at  the 


^■54<,»"'.K»;., 


ilSKae 


"tHE  BROTHlER." 


265 


ider  of  your 
1  Vault,  the 
the  horrors 
lazed  at  his 
and  knowl- 
almost  im- 
realize  the 
f  repay  the 
le  of  happy 
y,    are   per- 

jy  and  hope 
lisagreeable 
You  have 
he  Brother' 
le  ever  pres- 

iife  I  see  on 
him  as  the 
t  not  been 
I  probabihty 
of  your  sis- 
the    perfect 

with  "The 
:ks  of  hum- 
:a  of  social 
"urnished  no 
ring  a  disa- 
artfuUy  be- 
chibit  at  the 


convention,  drifting  into  pleasant,  merry  stories  that 
brought  the  smile  of  happiness  to  the  countenances 
of  his  friends.  Soon  Sappho  withdrew  in  order  to  give 
the  gentlemen  an  opportunity  to  discuss  privately  to- 
gether, the  sound  of  her  sweet  voice  ringing  through 
the  open  court  as  she  warbled  joyously  the  song  of 
old   Nickosthenes — 

"When  earth  was  young,  and  infant  art, 
'  Neath  leafy  bower  a  musing  lay, 
Upon  the  happy  scene  outspread, 
Where  all  of  life  was  bright  and  gay. " 
When  the  song  died  away    Comus   informed    Ker- 
amicos  of  all  that  had  happened  at  the  scene  with  the 
spirit  of  Edward  Pureheart;  also  of  the  subsequent  in- 
terviews with  the  historian  and  his    inquiries  of  every 
detail;  then  he  asked  Keramicos  what  he   could    add 
to  the  fund  of  knowledge  of  this  people  who   seemed 
to  realize  so  fully  the  blessings  they  enjoyed   through 
the  records  of  "The  Brother."  whom  they  worshipped. 
"Ah!  Comus,  the  recollection  is  painful.     My   his- 
tory has  b*"^n  guarded  well.     It   would    add   nothing 
,    beneficial  to  these  people;  they  have    already  the    re- 
sults of  my  accumulated  knowledge  in. my  work.       In 
many  ways  I  have  guided  them.   Silence  has  protect- 
ed them  from  recitals  that  would  be  disagreeable  and 
useless." 

"Can  you  not  gratify  the  scholar  at  the  museum  in 
perfecting  his  study  of  the    history   of  the    records?" 

asked  comus. 

From  what  you   tell  me,    Edward   Pureheart  has 

graphically  described  the   actual  scenes  af  his  times, 

and  the  records  have  given  the  account  of  Peace  Col- 

34 


906 


'THE  BROTHER. 


K-V 


ony  and  its  tragic  ending.     There  remains  to  be  told 
.      the  story  of  the  destruction  one  century  after.  Just  ten 

#' ;:  r^r  ^    "^  '^'  "■'■•^^'    °^  *^«^^   P-°P>«=    from    New 

,  ,  ^  .,  Zealand.     To  confess  to  you.  I  was  one  of  the  parties 

•  ^         present,  condemned  in  the  absence  of  all  civilization 

o  hve  w,th  the  savages,  escaping  the   catastrophe  by 

taking  refuge  in  the  miraculously  saved  Vault." 

"  Can  you  not  write  an  account  of  the  destruction  ?  - 
••Yes.  I  could."  replied   Kcramicos.    ..but    I    would 

rather  not  have  it  known  that  it  came  from    me    until 
after  my  death." 

"Should  I  father  the  account  and  deceive  the  his- 
torian, will  you  write  it.'" 

"In  that  case,  I  will." 

The  friends  separated.  In  a  few  days  Comus  re- 
turned and  received  the  following  story  of  the 
destruction. 

Account  of  the  Destruction.   By  Keramicos. 

We  have  already  reached  the  perils  that  are  en- 
gendered by  sudden  wealth:  -a  jeunesse  doree''  and 
a  universal  appetite  for  excitement  and  for  sensual 
enjoyments,  with  a  dark  background  where  the  mass 

of  th'^^M'^L  '•"T.^"'  °^  ^^'•«''^^'"  '-  — ^  their  ThaTe 
of  the  gold  that  lies  on  the  tables  of  the  game  market 

In  a  calm  review  of  history,  have  we  not  reason  to 
ask  ourselves,  what  of  this  second  century.'  Shall 
our  ch.ldren-s  children  see  another  centennial  com- 
memoration of  Washington  and  the  Constitution.'  I 
think  every  thoughtful  man  must  pronounce  such  a 
consummation  improbable  in  the  extreme. 

Bishop  A.  C.  Coxe. 
Every  civiliaation  that  has    been    overwhelmed    by 


^.-  tte 


■ftfVsS^'sjiSiJf*;! 


•r- 


'TKF,  BROTMBR. 


36; 


i  to  be  told 
er,  just  ten 
from  New 
the  parties 
civilization 
strophe  by 

lUlt." 

struction?" 

t    I    would 

me    until 

e   the    his- 


Comus    re- 
3ry    of  the 

micos. 

It  are  en- 
loree"  and 
or  sensual 
;  the  mass- 
heir  share 
me  market, 
reason  to 
ry?  Shall 
mial  com- 
:itution?  I 
nee    such  a 


oxe. 
helmed    by 


barbarians  has  really  perished  from  internal  decay. 
Progress  and  Poverty,  P.  348. 
What  has  destroyed  all    previous   civilizations  has 
been  the  con  iitions  produced  by  the  growth  of  civil- 
ization itself. — Ibid,  P.  349. 

From  a  point   of  heavily   wooded   land    two   men 
looked  out  upon  a  broad  and  beautiful  bay  into  which 
led  large  rivers.    The  shores  in  view  were  covered  by 
dense,  rich  foliage  that  extended  back  in  the   country 
and  over  the  hills  as  far,as  the  eye  could  reach.  Here 
and  there,  were  worn  spots  where  the  marks   of  fires 
were  seen,  around  which  were  shells,  fish    bones    and 
the  remains  of  ,vild  animals,  indicating  the    habits    of 
savage  life.    The  surface  of  the  bay  was  enlivened  by 
a  great  number  of  savage  looking  men  who  were  eag- 
erly engaged  in  fishing,  and  the  waters  gave  evidence 
of  the  presence  of  many  of  the  larger  species  of  mar- 
ine animals  that  darted  and  cut  the  surface  with  their 
sharp' and  powerful  fins.     Above,    the    air   was    alive 
with  myriads  of  gulls  and  fishing  birds    of  every    de- 
scription, that  circled  a'oft  in  graceful  lines,  or  skim- 
med the  surface  of  the  waves,   or  darted   beneath  the 
waters  for  unsuspecting  prey. 

The  morning  sky  was  filled  with  light  grayish, 
broken  clouds,  to  which  the  late  spring  sun  gave  a 
complete  edging  of  silver  that  delicately  relieved 
against  the  light  blue,  and  faintly  shadowed  here  and 
there  the  waters  of  the  broad  bay. 

A  small  island  lay  ;o  the  right,  on  which  were  ruins 
of  a  monster  granite  pedestal  that  recorded  the  exist- 
ence of  a  former  civilization,  and  the  dense  woods 
around  were  musical  with  sweet  voiced  song  birds. 
Evidently  the  scene  was  new  to  these  observers,  for 
they  looked  with  strange  wonderment  around  the 
shores,  upon  the  bay,  towards  the  hills  and  woods  be- 
yond, as  though  trying  to  trace  the  lines  that  had 
once  been  familiar  to  them;  and  the  life  of  nature   so 


268 


•THE  BROTHER." 


4  - 


r^' 


>'    ' 


abundantly  rich  on  land,  sea,  and  in  the  air.  was   not 
to  them  without  its  joy  and  pleasure 

Suddenly,  they  were  stjrrounded  by  a  strong  band 
of  men,  armed  with  spears  and  bow-guns,  who  darted 
from  the  thick  bushes  with  savage  yells  and  wielding 
their  arms  in  a  threatening  manner;  but  of  whom  the 
two  men,  who  seemed  strangers  to  the  place,  display- 
ed no  sense  of  fear;  for  their  adversaries,  who  threat- 
aned  them  with  spears  uplifted  to  strike,  remained  in 
the  striking  attitude,  without  moving  for  a  long  time 
■■:Hv.  and  it  was  apparent  that  they  had  become  paralyzed 
by  some  mysterious  power  possessed  by  the  two 
strangers,  which  not  only  astonished  the  savages  but 
struck  them  with  fear;  so  that  they  begged  in  jyood 
plain  English  for  mercy  and  promised  to  desit:t  Vom 
their  aggressive  conduct  if  they  were  freed  from  this 
magic  spell.  At  length  the  two  strangers  addressed 
the  war-like  band  in  their  own  language  inquiring  for 
their  head  man  or  chief,  to  which  they  sullenly  replied 
that,  their  chief  was  at  his  fortress  farther  in  the 
forest,  and  that  the  strangers  would  be  escorted  to 
him;  an  arrangen.'enl  to  which  they  readily  assented 
and  authoratively  bade  the  band  of  men  to  walk  in 
front  and  proceed  to  their  chief. 

At  a  short" distance  they  emerged  from  the  dense 
woods  of  at  least  fifty  years  growth  and  entered  a 
part  of  the  country  where  the  trees  were  arranged  in 
squares,  with  straight  passages  between  covered  with 
short,  poor  grass  and  weeds.  The  passages  seemed 
to  be  of  great  length,  for  the  eye  could  not  distinguish 
their  termination  in  the  small  perspective  between  the 
square  blocks  of  heavy  tree  growth.  These  avenues, 
so  like  streets  cut  out  from  primitive  nature,  were  in- 
tersected by  similar  ones  with  open  vistas  that  reveal- 
ed the  moving,  glittering  waters  of  the  bay.  The 
sight  was  unusual.  Wild  nature  with  avenues  so  reg- 
ular as  to  suggest  a  city  in  the  perfection  of  its   plan 


r.  was   not 

;rong  band 
who  darted 
id  wielding 
r  whom  the 
ce,  display- 
vho  threat- 
Rmained  in 
long  time 
■paralyzed 
ly  the  two 
lavages  but 
d  in  good 
desih:t  'Tom 
^  from  this 
5  addressed 
iquiring  for 
;nly  replied 
her  in  the 
escorted  to 
y  assented 
to    walk  in. 

the    dense 
entered   a 
rranged   in 
ivered  with 
■es   seemed 
distinguish 
)etween  the 
se  avenues, 
•e,  were  in- 
that  reveal- 
bay.     The 
lues  so  reg- 
of  its    plan 


^•,3!rT'^'??53Kt'&7?S;, 


"THE  BROTHER. 


269 


and  to  puzzle  the  mind  in  its  speculation  as  to  the 
habits  and  customs  of  these  savage  looking  men,  who 
were  attired  in  hairless  garments,  similar  to  buckskin 
and  whose  accoutrements  indicated  no  knowledge  of 
the  arts  of  civilization  whatever. 

An  old  man,  one  of  this   band  of  savages,    with   a 
more  kindly  face  than  the  rest,  lagged  to  the  rear  and 
indicated  by  his  Jooks  that  he  would  be    communica- 
tive, which  the  strange *s  recognized  and  took  advan- 
tage of  by  making  inquiries  about   their  chief  and  the 
character  of  the  country.     It   was  developed  that  the 
chief  who  lived  in  this  region   was   one   of  the   most 
powerful  in  all  the  country  around;  his  authority   ex- 
tending far  up  in  the  directiv  n  they    were   going   and 
to  the  shores  that  lay  on  either  side    of  his   territory. 
No  information  could  be  had  of  ships  ever   coming  to 
the  coast;  nor  could   the  old  man  be  made  to    under- 
stand that  a  large  canoe  or  boat  could   be  made  to  go 
out  on  the  great  waves.     The  absence  of  ships  puz- 
zled the  two  strangers  greatly  and  they  discussed  be- 
tween themselves  many  reasons  for  it  without  coming 
to  a  satisfactory  conclusion. 

The  band  of  men.  like  savages  generally,  were  not 
talkative;  they  walked  or  marched  with  tolerable  reg- 
ularity   along  the    straight   road    betweeu  the   trees 
which  was  pretty  well    worn    into    paths,    as   though 
very  frequently  used;  many  spots  cut  by    the  rivulets 
formed  by  heavy  rains  revealed  stony  roads  or  streets 
paved  in  square  blocks,  covered  by  soil  not    over  six 
or  eight  inches  thick,  that  explained  the   strange   ap- 
pearance of  the  place  by  its  once  having  been  an  ex- 
tensive city.     The  winds  had  drifted  the  dust  over   its 
streets,  and  upon  the  site  of  the  blocks    of  houses  the 
forest  had  rooted   and   grown,  burying  under   leaves 
and  decayed  wood  every  trj^ce  of  the    handywork   of 
the  race  that  dnce  existed  here. 
,      The   band    halted  in   front   of  a    triangular  place 


I  . 


VfO 


•THK  BROTHER." 


it  - 

'<  V 


where  two  avenues  diverged  that  seemed  like  a   huge 
mound  upon  which  forest  trees  w  re  growing       The 
front  had  been  cleared  away  and  was  protected   by   a 
stockade,  which  extended  over    the  mound,    forming 
above  a  strong,    difficultly  assailable   fortress       This 
evidently  was  the  home  of  the  chief,   who.  being  noti- 
fied by  one  of  his  guards,   came    out.   with    a  curious 
expression  on  his  cruel  grey  eye.  to  see  what  kind  of 
strange  men  had  been  presented  to  him.  whose   pow- 
er  was  greater  than   his  band    of  bravest    men        He 
stood  at  the  entrance  of  the  stockade    without  speak- 
ing a  massive,  brutal   looking  man     not  very  tall  but^ 
built     heavily     about     the   che-^t.   arms    and    shoul- 
ders, with  light  hair,  sun  burnt   complexion,    square, 
heavy  jaws,    strongly  arched   forehead,    short,    thick 
wed  formed    nose,    and  cold. .  piercing,    greyish    blue 
eyes.     He  carried  in  his  hand  a  long  hard  wood    club 
and  a  heavy  h  nee  spiked  with  iron  sharp  and    bright 
1  he  two  strangers  did  not  move  or  speak,  apparently 
awaiting  the  irst  salutation    from    this    savage   chief 
1  he  band  also  stood  looking  at  both  their   chief  and 
the  strangers     impressed    by   the    singularity    of  the 
event  and  the  uncertainty  of  the  result   of  the    inter- 
view with  the  men  who  had  awed  and  controlled  their 
wild  natures  go  successfully.     At  length    silence   was 
broken  by  the  chief  demanding  -.vhat  they  wanted,   to 
which  the  taller  of  the   strangers    replied    that  they 
wanted   only    friendly   intercourse    and    intended    no 
harm,  informing  him  also    that    they    lixcd    far    away 
irom  his  dominions,  and  had  no  other  interest  than  to 
view  his  beautiful  country  and    ir.ake   some   inquiries 
about  the  city  that  had  once  existed  here.     The  chief 
viewed  them  suspiciously,  although  thty  were  unarm- 
ed, and  told  them  that  he  could  not    understand    why 
men  should  want  to  interest  themselves  in  things  thai 
wereof no  benefit;  that  he  believed    they    were    spie« 
frdm  some  other  tribe  which  he    did  not  know,    their 


-X3iifl#i<^ 


^-""IfWfllB"" 


■Lc 


'THK  BROTHER. 


V 


ike  a  huge 
ing.  The 
cted  by  a 
d,  forming 
ess.  This 
being  noti- 

a  curious 
hat  kind  of 
hose  pow- 
men.  He 
lout  speak- 
ery  tall  but>- 
nd  shoul- 
n,  square, 
ort,  thick 
eyish  blue 
wood  club 
nd  bright, 
apparently 
fage   chief. 

chief  and 
ity  of  the 
the  inter- 
olled  their 
ilence  was 
A'anted.  to 

that  they 
tended    no 

far  away 
est  than  to 
e   inquiries 

The  chief 
jre  unarm- 
stand  why 
things  thai 
were  spies 
now,    their 


clothing  and  appearance  being  different  to  any  people 
he  had  ever  seen  alive;  but  he  knew  that  such  men 
must  exist  .somewhere,  for  there  were  men  cut  out  of 
stone,  and  in  metal,  that  looked  just  like  them  lying 
around  in  the  forest  in  different  places,  with  the  same 
sort  of  clothes,  that  led  him  to  believe  that  such  a 
race  of  people  lived  far  down  the  waters  where  the 
great  waves  wash  the  beach.  The  erroneousness  of 
the  impression  as  to  their  being  spies,  or  having  any 
intention'or  desire  to  injure  him  in  any  way,  was  in- 
sisted on  by  the  two  strangers,  who  claimed  his  hos- 
pitality as  two  unaimed  men  seeking  only  his  friend- 
ship and  such  information  as  he  could  gi\'c,  the 
purpose  of  which  they  would  explain  to  him  if  he 
'  would  give  them  the  opportunity,  at  length  satisfied 
him  sufficiently  to  ask  them    o  enter  his  fortress. 

The  two  men  were  greatly  surprised  upon  descend- 
ing a  number  of  steps  and  entered  an  immense  hall, 
'the  roof  of  which  was  supported  by  columns,  and 
lighted  by  a  glass  pavement  placed  over  part  of  the 
roof,  admitting  a  considerable  volume  of  light  to  the 
centre  of  the  hall,  that  seemed  to  be  mostly  occupied 
by  the  chief  Seating  themselves  on  square  cut  stones 
ranged  around  the  interior,  the  two  strangers  began 
to  inform  the  chief  further  of  the  object  of  their  visit 
to  which  bc'  listened  attentively,  then  remaining 
thoughtful  for  some  moments,  he  raised  his  head  and 
ordered  one  of  the  strong,  coarse  women  who  was 
standing  near  to  go  and  bring  an  old  man  to  him.  In 
a  short  tune  the  friendly  looking  old  savage,  who  had 
accompanied  the  band,  appeared,  when  the  two 
strangers  were  ordered  to  explain  what  they  wanted 
to  know.  The  old  man  informed  the  chief  that  he 
thought  the  curious  things  in  the  Vault  near  by  would, 
perhaps,  be  what  they  wanted,  and  asked  if  he  would 
conduct  them  to  the  place.  The  chief  gave  his  assent 
and  ordered  a  iqtiad  of  his  men  to  go  and  protect  the 


4 


i 


,^:-^»^-i.-i-^-'^h>...    ---A-' 


I'  ■■,.- 


I.' -- 


37*  "ThK  bkOTHEH." 

old  mah  and  the  two  strangers  from  harm  A  ahnrt 
distance  westerly  brought  them  to  the  facade  of  stone 
building  containing  the  inscription.  "Astor  Library." 
A  sloping  base  of  earth  and  debris  lay  around  the 
structure,  the  entire  top  of  which  was  covered  by  a 
mound  of  earth  that  formed  a  perfect  roof  over  a 
vault-like  basement,  in  which  wert*  the  ren.ains  of 
pieces  of  sculpture,  mostly  busts  of  learned  men  of 
various  countries  and  times  in  the  world's  history. 
The  old  man  led  the  way  through  the  debris  to  a 
well  cemented  vault  in  the  rear  that  was  dry  and  in 
good  condition.  The  top  was  made  of  stone,  cut  in 
many  round  openings  filled  with  thick  glass  well  ce- 
mented, that  admitted  the  light  and  the  suns  rays, 
which  acco-mted  for  the  phenomena  of  dryness  of  the 
vault  and  its  perfect  preservation.  A  large  flat  slab 
of  stone  that  formed  the  door  had  been  pried  rway 
and  broken,  so  the  interior  was  exposed.  Around 
the  walls  wire  a  number  of  small  box-like  cases  form- 
ed of  a  dry  hardcemc'  that  looked  as  though  it  were 
mixed  with  paper  fib.t  or  some  similar  imperishable 
substance.  The  boxe?  or  cases  had  ali  been  opened 
by  prying  away  the  small  slabs,  of  the  same  material 
that  had  closed  the  openings.  All  the  cases  were  fill- 
ed with  books  (except  two)  composed  of  some  mate- 
rial like  paper,  but  thick  and  stiff  as  though  it  had 
been  made  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  it  imperish- 
al^e.  The  printing  had  been  done  with  a  pen  and 
ink  that  had  sunk  into  the  material,  becoming  part  of 
it,  and  was  clear  and  legible  on  the  pages  of  the 
books,  although  soiled  considerably  by  the  savages. 
These  books  were  all  carefully  arranged  histories  of 
actual  times  when  they  were  written,  and  gave  clear 
accounts  of  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  country  at  that 
period,  together  with  the  names  of  those  who  were 
prominent  in  them;  and,  also,  accounts  of  the  causes 
that  led  to  the  events  of  the  times,  that  ran  back  into 


^■^'^^^F^I^^lJ^'^^-Fi^rf'^-  ^'^^'%r:^:n  a^ 


"TUF,  hKOTHKR 


273 


A    uhort 
1e  of  stone 
r  Library." 
iround  the 
:red    by   a 
of  over    a 
rcfKains  of 
ed  men    of 
's    history, 
lebris    to  a 
dry  and  in 
)ne,  cut    in 
s  well   cc- 
sun's  rays, 
ness  of  the 
e   flat  slab 
iried    rway 
I.     Around 
rases  forni- 
igh  it  were 
1  perishable 
:n    opened 
e    material 
:s  were  fiU- 
ome  mate- 
Ligh  it    had 
:  imperish- 
a    pen   and 
ing  part  of 
jes    of   the 
e    savages, 
[listories  of 
gave  clear 
itry  at  that 

who  were 
r  the  causes 
1  back   into 


the  history  of  the  world  for  many  centuries,  showing 
that  the  author  was  not  only  acquainted  with  the  his- 
tories anh  records  of  the  various  civilizations  that  had 
existed,  but  also  with  the  sciences,  arts  and  occult 
studies,  that  distinj,uished  the  profoundly  Itarncd  of 
all  ages. 

Inquiries  of  the  old  man  developed  no  trace  of  how 
these  records  came  there;  nor  any  traditions  that 
would  give  a  clue  to  their  origin  or  of  the  people  who 
once  existed  there.  The  tew  feeble  and  indistinct 
statt^mcnts  that  he  did  give  only  showed  now  soon  all 
traces  of  a  civilization  were  lost  and  forgotten  in  the 
active  struggle  of  man  for  existence  in  the  savage 
state,  that  necessarily  rendered  him  indifferent  to  the 
intellectual  interests  of  civilized  life. 

The  t>vo  ca.ies  in  the  centre  opposite  the  entrai^ce 
were  filled  with  black  plates,  exactly  like  stereotype 
plates,  but  nearly  an  inch  in  thickness.  The  letters 
were  sunken,  and  had  evidently  been  cast  from  type 
in  this  black  material,  which  was  of  a  carbonace'^UJ 
nature  and  as  little  liable  to  decay  as  charcoal.  These 
plate's  were  paged  and  numbered,  and  couUl  be  read  ^ 
like  Uie  leaves  of  a  book,  a  trouble  thai  was  unneces- 
s.iry.  for  in  each  case  there  was  a  copy  of  a  book  that 
b;!(i  been  printeil  from  the  type,  on  the  same  ^ihd  of 
paper  as  the  histories  in  the  other  cases  and  appar- 
ently with  the  same  imperishable  ink. 

I'he  book  was  not  large  and  had  evidently  been 
prepared  to  give  a  key  and  explanation  for  the  exist- 
ence of  the  histories  in  the  vault  and  the  reason  why 
tlicy  were  put  there. 

The  two  strangers  had  found  the  key.  to  the  myst- 
ery of  the  ruined  city,  and  eagerly  proceeded  to  read 
it,  before  more  particularly  examining  the  histories  of 
the  other  casts.  The  shorter  of  the  two  men  took  the 
book  and  began  to  read  aloud,  while  the  tall  man 
stood  listening  with  his    eyes    cast    upon  the   ground. 

35 


■  w>  i'.r 


im 


274 


••THE  BROTHER. 


il- 


The  old  savage  sat  upon  the  broken  slab,  and  the 
guard  stood  around  the  entrance  of  the  vault  or  re- 
clined upon  the  ground,  giving  curious  attention  to 
the  account  without  speaking  a  word  till  it  was  ended. 

Th2  book  open«;d  with  an  account  of  the  reason  for 
building  the  vault,  which  had  been  done  with  great 
diflficuity  in  troubled  times,  when  men  were  agitated 
by  matters  in  which  learning  played  no  part.  The 
work  of  the  book,  the  plates  and  the  vault,  was  done 
by  an  aged  scientific  scholar  assisted  by  a  man  named 
Astor  who  had  great  quantities  of  money  secreted, 
which,  in  that  day,  could  not  be  used  in  trade,  or  be 
n;ade  known  for  fear  it  would  be  taken  away  by  rob- 
bers or  plundering  chiefs  who  ruled  the  country.  The 
money  had  been  cunningly  used  by  *■!  e  old  scientist, 
who  pretended  to  be  a  beggar  and  out  of  his  mind  so 
that  his  object  escaped  detection  by  his  fellows;  thus 
enab'--^  him  to  leave  a  record  of  the  times, 
in  the  .nope  that  some  other  race  of  men  would  benefit 
by  it,  and  so  organize  their  social  life  as  to  escape  the 
horrors  of  the  bad  system  that  had  brought  uy  >n  the 
people  of  his  times  a  carnival  ol  horror  and  death. 

An  account  was  also  given  of  how  the  cement  and 
paper  and  ink,  were  made,  so  as  to  render  them  im- 
perishable. Another  .set  of  plates  was  secreted 
close  by  which  diligent  search  would  discov^er  should 
the  set  in  the  vault  be  lost.  This  book  was  thie 
general  account,  and  referred  frequently  to  the  other 
books  for  greater  detail  concerning  the  various  mat- 
ters affecting  society,  and  the  marvelous  arts  and 
sciences,  of  th  It  time.  Men  had  obtained  by  study 
and  experiment  control  of  some  of  the  most  powerful 
forces  of  nature  and  used  them  to  travel  from  place  to 
place  at  great  speed,  and  to  carry  immense  quantities 
of  the  things  they  produced  thou^'aiids  of  miles  at  a 
trifling  expense.  They  had  taken  most  valuable 
things  out  of  the  bowels  of  the  earth  which  were  sent 


'VMK  BROTHER. 


i75 


>,  and  the 
ault  or  re- 
ittention  to 
was  ended. 

reason  for 
with  great 
e  agitated 
part.  The 
,  was  done 
Tian  named 
Y  secreted, 
ade,  or  be 
ay  by  rob- 
untry.  The 
Id  scientist, 
is  mind  so 
Hows;  thus. 
:he  times, 
)u!d  benefit 

escape  the 
lit  ujT  >x\  the 
i  death, 
cement  and 
;r  them  im- 
s  secreted 
iv^er  should 
ok  was  thie 
;o  the  other 
irioiis  mat- 
is  arts  and 
d  by  study 
St  powerful 
:)m  place  to 
e  quantities 

miles  at  a 
st  valuable 
h  were  sent 


all  over  tht    country    for  the  use  of  the    inhabitants. 
They  had    arrangements   for    conveying    what   they 
wanted  to  say  around  the  earth   in   less  time  than    it 
took  to  say  it;  and  even  the  sound  cf  the  voice   could 
be  transmitted  to  great  distances.     They  could  rend- 
er the  night  as  bright  as  day;  and    could  go  up  into 
the  air  to  great  heights  and  down  to  the  bottom  of  the 
waters  by  the  aid  of  machines.     They  could  with   art- 
ificiai  eyes,  which    they  had    made,    view  the   distant 
worlds  in  space  and  count   their  movemeuts.      They 
could  foretell  the  weather  and  the  seasons,  and  make 
the  sun  draw  pictures  of  places  and  things   that  could 
be  reproduci-d    to    infinity  and   sent    to    everyone   to 
show  how  these  things  looked    without   going  to   see 
therti.     They  had  machines  by  which   they  could  run 
rdpidly  over  the  great    waves   of  ti:c   great  .seas  and 
carry  thousands   of  tons.      They  liad   made  strange 
powders  with  which  rocks  could  be  rent,  or  the  great- 
est works  of  nature  or  man.   shattered  to    pieces.     In- 
deed, the  wonderful  inventions  these   people  had    for 
their  use,  were  too    pnany  to    be    described   here;   but 
were  all  inentioned  in  the  histories  in  the    vault,    and 
the  way  each  was  made,  and  copies  given  of  the    dif- 
ferent   machines    and    instrumer.:s    with    which    they 
were  done. 

After  giving  a  long  account  to  which,  the  savages 
listened  with  brpathless  attention,  the  author  began 
to  describe  the  rea.son  why  all  these  thmgs  were  de- 
stroyed, by  a  greedy  passion  that  existed  in  man 
himself,  a  peculiar  passion,  that  haunted  every  man, 
woman  and  child,  and  kept  them  in  so  restless  a 
state  that  all  the  benefits  they  had  from  such  useful 
machines  and  appliances,  could  not  be  enjoyed;  nor 
did  these  advantages  seem  to  them  of  any  benefit  for 
good,  but  rather  had  the  tendency  to  make  this  pas- 
sion stronger  and  strc  >ger.  So  the  more  th«  passion 
was  gratified  the  more  fierce  and  absorbing  it  became; 


I  ''. 


V  '" 


376 


VHE  BROTHER." 


avv 


m 


until  the  pcop'e  no  longer  ha  '  any  pcpce,  biit  became 
Its  victims;  the  strongest  and  most  cunning  took  from 
the  rest  by  artful  means,  and  by  force,  until  they  got 
everything  in  the  world  into  their  possession,  and 
held  It  with  sucn  fierce  grasp,  that  the  larger  part  of 
the  people  had  nothing  left;  when  they,  in  turn;  be- 
gan to  strive,  with  the  desperation  of  despair,  to  live 
by  any  sacrifice;  they  sold  their  virtue,  and  honor', 
and  goodness,  and  turned  to  vices  worse  than  wild 
beasts  to  assist  them  to  live.  » 

This  wonderful  age  in  material  prosperity  had  been 
so  interesting  that  the  old  scholar,  who  wrote  the 
records  of  it,  said  it  surpassed  all  others  of  which 
they  had  any  record,  and  their  records  extended 
back  many  thousands  of  years;  besides  having  search- 
ed the  earth,  and  rocks,  and  sea,  for  traces  of  other 
people,  who  had  lived  and  founded  many  civilizations 
but  none  had  the  perfections  of  the  one  of  which  he 
left  the  singular  record  in  the  vault  in  this  savaee 
place.  ^ 

The  universal  speculative  idea  had.  at  this  time, 
taken  possession  of  the  people  through  the  advantage 
given  by  ownership  of  money  to  those  who  had 
achieved  this  species  of  monopoly,  which  was  com- 
monly called  success,  had  a  disastrous  effect  on  the 
progress  of*  the  industrial  arts,  rapidly  producing 
their^  decline.  It  came  to  be  generally  believed 
that  "^  laborious  training,  for  any  special  industrial 
pursuits,  was  unnecessary;  labor  being  the  occupation 
of  the  wage  slaves,  tainted  with  meniality  and  degra- 
dation. The  indispensable  familiarity  that  comes 
from  an  intimate  relation  with  handicraft  and  mechan- 
ical sciences  only  to  be  gained  in  the  work-shop,  was 
distasteful  because  of  the  toil  involved.  The  associ- 
ation with  the  wage  slaves,  whose  poverty  prevented 
personal  and  intellectual  polish,    naturally  drove    the 


'THE  BROTHER. 


m 


but  became 
\  took  from 
1  they  got. 
jssion,  and 
jer  part  of 
in  turn;  be- 
»air,  to  live, 
and  honor, 
;  than    wild 

:y  had  been 
wrote  the 
5  of  which 
s  extended 
ing  search - 
ces  of  other 
rivilizations 
which  he 
this   savage 

this  time, 
;  advantage 
:  who  had 
I  was  coni- 
fect   on  the 

producing 
y  believed 
1  industrial 
occupation 
and  degra- 
that  comes 
nd  mechan- 
k-shop,  was 
['he    associ- 

preventcd 
/  drove   the 


possessors  of  money  to  take  the  most  agreeable  steps 
to  the  increase  or  maintainance  of  their  wealth.      So, 
,  by  fixing  the  laws   to  their  advantage,  or  by  putting 
large  sums  of  money  (which  they  falsely  called  capi- 
tal) into  an  industry,  so  as  tc  overpower  and    prevent 
smaller  capitalists,  or,    even    skillful    workmen,   with 
their  advantages  of  experience  and  knowledge,  from 
outstripping  them,  or  by  simply  educating  their   sons 
in  colleges  and   universities,   in  the    scientific  theories 
of  the  arts,  in  order    to  give   the' supposed    equivalent 
knowledge,  to  compensate  for  the  disagreeable  work- 
shop experience,  they  finally  fully   controlled  all  the 
skilled    industries,     operating      them     according   to 
their  imperfect  training  with  a  deteriorating  effect  on 
the  development  and  progress  of  skill,  and  the  art  be- 
came subject  to  a  monopoly   scramble    among   those 
who  had  the   most  money;    their  subjects,  the  wage 
slaves,  loosing  all  their   craft   by  want  of  encourage- 
ment, the  proprietors  becoming  indifferent  to  all  ex- 
cept gr^ed  and    luxury.     The    unfortunate    industries 
that  had  so  beautifully  developed  under  the   efforts  of 
trained  and    enthusiastic   worknen   soon  shared  .the 
fate  of  politiral  government,  fell  into  decay  and  were 
finally  lost  altogether. 

1  h'«  few  people  who  got  all,  did  not  take  it  by 
force  at  first,  but  by  the  aid  of  a  class  of  nien  who 
spent  their  lives  in  studying  the  arts  of  cunning;  men 
who  formed  a  distinct  class  apart  from,  the  rest  of  the 
people  and  cultivated  the  art  of  honied  speech  tp 
play  upon  the  prejudices,  failings,  goodness,  or  weak- 
ness, of  the  people,  who  were  busy  with  other  things, 
and  thus  get  their  confidence  so  as  to  deceive  and 
plunder  them.  These  cunning  men.  in  order  to  bet- 
ter carry  on  the  schemes  of  bewildering  the  people, 
would  get  up  great  questions  which  they  would  argue 
up  and  down  the  land  against  each   other   until  they 


i7* 


5,  ■ 


f    \ 


'THE  BKOThER. 


JiA. 


r4- 


'1>'^ 


got  the  people  interested  and  often  fighting   with  one 
another.     One  of  these  arguments  may  be  mentioned 
here    that   was    artfully    put    forward,    namely,    that 
*'  Competition    was  the   law  of  wages."      And    while 
the  excitement  was  on.  the  rich  men  who    hired    the 
laborers  would  enact  laws  to    steal    the  property     or 
freedom  of  the  people;    and  as  soon    as   that  excite- 
ment was  over,   another  was  brought  forward  for  thi'* 
purpose,  till  finally  all  was  absorbed  by  the    few  men 
who  became  enor  lously  rich,    and  had    control  of  all 
the  mighty  forces   of  this   wonderful   age.     Even    the 
earth  on  which  the  people  stood  and  from  which  thev 
had  to   live,   came    into  the    possession   of  these  few 
rich  men;andall  hadto  pay  them  the  entire  part   of 
their   produce,  in    various   ways,    for  the    privilege  ol" 
living  on   the    earth.      The    people   were   docile  and 
quiet  for  a  long  time,  suffering  even   for  clothing    and 
food,  but  the  process  had  been  so    cunningly  planned 
and  executed,  little    by  little,  that  they   became  used 
to  It;  and  the  robbery  of  all   the  people  of  the   nation 
was  complete,  with  only  here  and  there  a  few   serious 
outbreaks.     The  teachers  of  morals  and  religion  were 
also  worked  into  assisting  the  rich  to  keep  the  people 
quiet  by  promises    of  silver,  and    gold,  and    diamond 
ci  jwns,  and  harps,  and  wings,    and    happiness,    after 
they  had  died  in  this  world,  where  all    misery    would 
be  left  behind.     But,  if  they  rebelled   and    attempted 
to  take  their  own  from  the  few  whom  they  felt  treated 
them  unjustly,    they    would,,  after    they  died    in    this 
world,  be  punished  by.  fire  and  torture,  and  excruciat- 
ing torrtients,  that  would  last  forever.     By    these  and 
many  other   artful  means,   the  cunning  men   of  silver 
speech  managed  to  plunder  the  people  for  a  period  of 
forty    years,    which     was   the    time    these   wonderful 
machines  and  inventions  attained   their   greatest   use 
and  wealth  producing  power. 

At  the  end  of  this  period,   the  few    men    who    had 


ff  with  one 

mentioned 
mely,  that 
And    while  ' 

hired  the 
roperty,  or 
:hat  excite- 
ard  for  this 
e  few  men 
)ntroI  of  all 

Even  the 
which  they 
r  these  few 
ire  part  of 
privilege  ol" 

docile  and 
athing  and 
f]y  planned 
ecame  used 
the  nation 
few  serious 
ligion  were 
the  people 
d  diamond 
infess,  after 
tery    would 

attempted 
felt  treated 
led  in  this 
I  excruciat- 

these  and 
;n  of  silver 
a  period  of 

wonderful 
reatest    use 

i    who    had 


'tMe  brother. 


279 


become  so  rich  by   the  aid  of  the  cunning  men    and 
the  strength  of  their  own    powerful   abilities,    which 
were  applied  solcy  to  obtaining  riches,  began  to  grow 
old  and  feeble,  and    one    by   one    paid    the   debt   of 
nature,  to  which  all  men  must  at  last  succumb.     They 
left  a  number  of  descendents  behind  them  who  inher- 
ited their  wealth,  but  not  their    abilities;  for  even  the 
bright  minded  children  had  been  rendered  effeminate 
by  the  great  luxuries  which    wealth  had  brought,  and 
were  unable  to   cope  with    the    desperate    people,  or 
grasp  the  changed  conditions  their  fathers  had  brought 
about,  which  made  it  difficult,    almost    impossible    for 
the  children  of  this   vast   wealth,    to   maintain   them- 
selves securely.     It  was  then    that  the   l^unning    men 
of  silver  .speech,  whose  philosophy  was  to  "get  there," 
as  they  called  it,  began  to  rise    to  the    top;    for    they 
had  already  become  wealthy  by  the  share  that  fell  to 
them  for  their  services  to  the  rich  men.  and  the  awful 
passion  for  more  had  come  to  grow  in   their  breasts  to 
fearful    proportions,     absorbing     every   other    desire. 
They  began  to  wreck    the  weak   offspring    of  the  de- 
parted rich  men,     which  was    soon  done,   and  by    the 
same  cunning  arts  which  they  practiced  on  the  people, 
obtained  possession  of  all  the  wealth  the  rich  men  had. 
By  thi&^time  the  great  mass  of  the  people  had"  be- 
come so  desperate  from  being  reduced  to  such:  straits 
to  exist  that  the  cunning  men  of  silve;-  speech  rapidly 
lost'^their  power  to  influence  their  minds.     The  relig- 
ious teachers  also    failed  to    influence  the   people,  for 
an  entire  generation  had  grown  up  in  such  misery  and 
degradation    that    ail  sense  of  the    moral  or'Jreligious 
if'ea  was  obliterated  in  _ their  minds;    so  the    religious 
men  could  no  longer  promise  riches    nor  misery  after 
death  with  any    effect.      The   people  only   scoffed  at 
them,  and  sometimes    killed    them    for  being    parties 
with  those  who  oppressed  them. 

The  cunning  men,  to  make  themselves  secure,  got 


^T 


280 


•'THE  BROTHER.' 


f    .' 


together  all  the  worst  men  they  could  find;  men  out 
of  whom  every  particle  of  human  sympathy  had  been 
stamped  by  the  hard  struggle  for  existence.  These 
men  were  formed  into  bands  to  protect  the  cunning 
men  of  silver  speech;  they  were  well  fed.  their  pas- 
sions gratified,  and  the  greatest  liberties  given  them 
to  abuse  the  people,  which  they  used  with  unlimited 
freedom.  Increasing  dissatisfaction  cau.sed  the  bands 
to  be  increased  to  armies,  when  the  cunning  men  of 
the  silver  speech  family  began  fighting  one  another, 
each  striving  to  gratify  the  growing  passion  in  their 
breasts  to  get  all  chat  belonged  to  each  other  as  well 
as  what  belonged  to  the  people.  When  blood  was 
once  iipilled  among  themselves  there  was  no  possi- 
bility of  restraining  the  hardened  criminals  whom 
they  had  brought  into  their  employ;  and  they  fought 
terrible  battles  all  over  the  land,  that  eclipsed  the 
wholesale  slaughter  of  the  people,  who  had  revolted 
many  times  against  the  cunning  men  of  silver  speech 
to  obtain  bread  for  their  families. 

Myriads  of  rough  people  of  alien  race  and  language 
had  been  brought  into  the  land  to  work  for  smaller 
and  smaller  pay  for  the  rich,  cunning  men;  and  these 
too  became  a  part  of  their  armies  to  quiet  the  people 
by  killing  them;  and  to  fight  for  the  possession  of  the 
wealth  of  each  other;  until,  at  last,  the  shedding  of 
blood  became  the  universal  occupation  of  the  land. 

In  one  half  of  the  country  the  Negro  race  multi- 
plied rapidly  and  soon  rose  to  many  millions.  This 
ignorant  and  dependent  race  suffered  greatly  by  the 
disorganization  of  industry  and  naturally  fell  under 
the  leadership  of  chiefs  of  their  own  race,  who  in  turn 
were  bribed  or  hired  to  join  the  armies  of  the  lawyer 
chiefs  in  the  wars  upon  one  another,  carrying  great 
masses  of  the  negroes  with  them.  The  power  of  the 
negro  leaders  became  very  great  under  the  favoritism 
and  luxury  of  the  lawyer   chiefs,   their   insolence    in- 


1 


^ 


THK  aROTIIER. 


281 


id;  men  out 
y  had  been 
ice.  These 
he   cunninfj 

their  pas- 
i^iven  them 
1  unlimited 
i  the  bands 
ling  men  of 
le  another, 
on  in  their 
her  as  well 

blood  was 
s  no  possi- 
nais  whom 
they  fought 
clipsed  the 
id  revolted 
Iver  speech 

id  language 
for  smaller 
;  and  these 

the  people 
ssion  of  the 
shedding  of 
the  land. 

race  multi- 
ions.  This 
tly  by  the 
'  fell  under 
who  in  turn 

the  lawyer 
Tying  great 
lower  of  the 
e  favoritism 
solence    in- 


creasing with  t'lis  discovery,  untill,  at  last,  they  de- 
manded the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  lawyer  chiefs, 
which  they  were  obliged  t")  give  them  to  avoid  deser- 
tion, or  insurrection  again.>*t  their  rule;  their  inordi- 
nate demands  at  length  caused  the  murder  of  many  of 
the  lawyer  chiefs  and  the  plunder  of  their  vast  wealth 
with  which  the  negroes  held  high  carnival  for  awhile, 
and  then  began  to  murder  one  another;  famine  finish- 
ing the  bloody  crimes  that  swept  all  over  the  unhappy 
Republic  by  the  death  of  the  remainder  by  starvation 
The  great  machines  were  broken  or  decayed  and  not 
replaced;  and  in  a  few  years  there  were  only  the 
chiefs  left  who  were  the  descendants  of  the  cunning 
men  of  silver  speech. 

West  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  a  large  portion  of 
the  best  and  most  intelligent  people  had  collected 
into  a  community  and  built  themselves  a  beautiful  city, 
around  which  they  had  made  fine  farms,  that  were 
cultivated  with  the  best  arts  known  to  man,  that  in  a 
few  years  brought  happiness  and  prosperity;  where 
all  lived  in  comfort  and  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  the 
great  machines  and  perfections  of  this  wonderful  age. 
This  community  increased  and  prospered  to  an  extent 
that  had  never  before  been  known,  and  naturally  their 
great  wealth  and  beautifully  improved  country  and 
city  e.xcited  the  greedy  passion  of  the  lawyer  chiefs, 
who  had  possessed  themselves  of  all  the  country  ex- 
cept this  garden  spot  on  the  Pacific  slope.  Many  at- 
tempts were  made  by  the  lawyer  chiefs  to  capture 
their  city  and  country  which  were  defended  with  a 
bravery  unknown  in  the  history  of  the  world.  The 
wondcful  poweders  were  used  by  both  sides  in  the  at- 
tack and  defense  of  Peace  County.  They  were  drop- 
ped from  baloons  upon  each  other,  so  that  many 
thousands  of  men  were  killed  and  the  surface  of  the 
country  destroyed  and  rendered  unfit  for  cultivation. 
36 


1 


.jillts-i..'  VJJiJSS.-t 


284 


"THE  BROTHKR. 


|;r 


But,  at  last,  by  a  powerful  combination  among  the 
chiefs  the  Community  was  attacked  on  all  sides  and 
overpowered;  men,  women  and  children,  put  to  the 
sword,  and  their  lovely  city  of  peace  sacked  by  tb -■ 
howling  cut-throats  of  the  chiefs'  armies,  and  left  a 
black  heap  of  smouldering  r  ,ns.  Their  General, 
Edward  Pureheart,  who  defended  the  city  with  such 
bravery  and  skill,  and  had  so  often  baffled  the  invad- 
ers, was  captured  and  reserved  to  be  put  to  death  in 
presence  of  the  chiefs'  armies  by  slow  torture,  amid 
the  taunts  and  jeers  of  the  most  abandoned  set  of 
wretches  that  ever  lived  and  breathed  beneath  the 
stars  of  heaven. 

One  of  the  descendants  of  a  rich  man,  whose  great 
grandfather  had  built  the  Public  Library,  in  the  rear 
of  which  this  vault  stands,  disguised  himself  and  es- 
caped observation  by  remaining  with  me  in  poverty. 
A  great  amount  of  gold  had  been  concealed  when  the 
troubles  began,  out  of  which  I  managed  little  by  little 
to  build  the  vault  and  leave  these  records.  The  bal- 
ance of  the  gold  lies  buried  ten  feet  deep  from  'the 
level  of  the  base  of  this  vault,  fifty  feet  from  the  north- 
east angle;  the  angle  being  twenty  degrees  from  the 
pole  of  the  North  Star. 

I  am  now  an  old  man  and  the  work  of  the  histories 
is  completed;  they  have  been  safely  placed  in  the 
vault  which  is  sufficiently  conc:ealed;  but  after  some 
years  the  weather  will  expose  the  top,  so  that  it  may 
be  discovered  by  some  people  who  may  come  after  us, 
whom  I  trust  will  take  a  lesson  from  our  misfortunes 
to  establish  a  better  and  safer  civilization.  Should 
such  be  the  case,  I  will  not  have  lived  in  vain;  and  it 
is  the  only  hope  now  left,  for  we  have  already  fallen 
into  a  blood  thirsty,  savage  state  and  the  mighty 
splendors  of  the  nineteenth  century  have  passed 
away.  "The  Brother." 

New  York  City. 


"  PHF  HROI HFR 


281 


among  the 

sides    and 

put  to  the 

Led    by  th  : 

and  left   a 

r    General, 

with  such 

the  invad- 

to  death  in 

ture,    amid 

ned    set    of 

)eneath  the 

/hose  {jreat 
in  the  rear 
self  and  es- 
in  poverty, 
d  when  the 
tie  by  little 
The  bal- 
p  from  'the 
I  the  north- 
s    from  the 

he  histories 
iced  in  the 
after  some 
that  it  may 
me  after  us, 
misfortunes 
n.  Should 
vain;  and  it 
eady  fallen 
the  mighty 
ive  passed 
other." 


Sealed  on  the  anniversary  of  Washington's  Inaugu- 
ral.  April  29th,  in  the  year.  191 2. 

The  two  strangers   looked  at  each  other  in    amaze- 
ment.    "This,  then."  said  the   tall    man.  "is    the  fate 
of  the  noble  young  man  who  so  kindly    conducted   us 
through  the  city  of  New  York   this  day   one  hundred 
years  af^ro.      This.    then,  is  the    result   of  the    horrible 
st.ite  o.  '.lumanity  wethen    witnessed;    and  the  power 
of  monopoly  that  absorbed  all  (-irtue  in  their  luxurious 
splendors,  where  all  was  a  master  scene  of  hypocrisy, 
drunkenness    and    meanness.       In    this    savage    wild 
whih  h  Hi  transplanted   that    flourishing    city,  we  find 
the  record  of  the  times  carefully  prepared  and  left  for 
future  ages  by  a  man  of  the  common    people,    who  so 
interested  us  at  the  [)lace  of  the   Inaugural  and  on  the 
(lav  of  the  military  parade.      Alas!  my  brother,  Jeffer- 
son, the  forebodings  I  then    felt  sent  a  pang    through 
my  soul  greater  than  all    the  sorrows  and  sufferings  I 
had  throu'.^h  the  dreary  wars  for  independence;  great- 
er th:<n  r^Il  the  anxieties  we  both  suffered   to  establish 
equalitv    and    the    brotherhood    of  man,    during    our 
mortal  existenre.      The  absence  of  ships  is    thus    ac- 
counted for.      Kurope    has    suffered   the  same    fate  as 
AmeriM       ,\n  1  the  statement  of  the    orator    at    the 
Cetitenninl    Imuigural  ceremonies,  that  the  'rnonarch- 
ial  governments  seeking  safety  in  repression  and  sup- 
pression of  opposition  and    criticism.'    and    that    'the 
volcanic  forces  of  Democratic   aspiration  and    Social- 
istic revolt,  were  ra[)idly    increasing    and    threatened 
peace  and  securitv,'  was  really  prophetic. " 

Turning  to  the  old  savage,  who  began  to  show 
signs  of  superstitious  fear,  Washington  demanded  the 
name  ofhischie'".  "  Depew  Qu-iy,"  replied  the  sav- 
age. Doubtless  a  descendant  of  the  popular,  wealthy 
lawyer  who  figured  at  the  Centennial  feast  and  made 
the  oration  at  the  Sub-Treasury  building,  who  so 
pompouslv  aaid.  "There  are  no  clouds   over-head,  no 


^ 


,^, 


3«4 


•THE  BROTHER. 


convulsions  under  our  feet,"  and  "we   hail  the  coming: 
century  wit*'  hope  and  joy." 

In  the  presence  of  the  bewildered  savages  the  two 
sublime  men  stood  awhile  locked  in  each  others'  arms, 
their  heads  bowed  upon  each  others'  shoulders  in  un- 
utterable grief  They  then  proceeded  to  the  opening 
in  the  trees  at  the  end  of  the  avenue  vhere  the  space 
was  wider  and  stood  in  view  of  the  chief  Depew 
Quay's,  fortress,  built  upon  the  ruins  of  the  monument 
to  science  and  art  erected  by  Peter  Cooper,  whose 
halls  once  echoed  to  t^he  voice  of  the  wizards  of  the 
scientific  world,  and  rang  with  the  cheers  of  the  crush- 
ed toilers  at  their  anti-poverty  meetings;  the  only  hall 
that  was  free  to  all  thought  and  expression  of  man  in 
the  great  American  Republic. 
;^  Where  are  the  thousands  of  boys,  and  girls,  and 
men,  who  were  freely  educated  in  the  arts  and 
sciences,  through  the  goodness  of  Peter  Cooper.' 
Where  are  their  descendants  .>  In  this  sacred  shrine 
is  the  den  of  the  descendant  of  the  mighty  men  whose 
master  passion  was  greed.  And  the  progress  of  the 
centuries  witnesses  only  the  survival  of  the  meanest. 

Washington  and  Jefferson  turned  their  gaze  toward 
the  setting  sun  slowly  sinking  in  a  bed  of  crimson 
and  purple  clouds,  that  stretched  far  around  the  hori- 
zon, carrying  on  their  edges  crispy  threads  of  gold 
that  grew  fainter  and  lost  their  color  in  the  grey  of 
the  distance.  Above,  the  clear  vault  shaded  from 
emerald  to  the  deep  blue  of  the  mid-heaven,  and  the 
rich,  joyous  sunset  that  enchanted  the  eyes  of  highly 
civilized  man,  here  shown  in  the  same  degree  of  splen- 
dor for  the  dull,  leaden  eye  of  the  savage.  When  the 
Sun.  had  dropped  into  the  horizon  and  gave  its  parting 
smile  to  the  darkening  world,  the  two  sublime  mortals 
who  had  ceased  to  live  in  the  memories  of  men. 
stretched  their  arms  aloft  as  if  invoking  some  spirit, 
and  from  the  lips  of  Washington  was  heard   an  agon- 


'THE  RROTIIRR. 


>t5 


the  comintf 

;e»  the  two 
thers'  arms, 
Iders  in  un- 
he  opening 
e  the  space 
ief,  Depew 
monument 
per,  whose 
ircJs  of  the 
f  the  crush- 
e  only  hall 
1  of  man  in 

girls,  and 
:  arts  and 
;r  Cooper  ? 
red  shrine 
men  whose 
jress  of  the 

meanest, 
aze  toward 
of  crimson 
id  the  hori- 
is  of  gold 
he  grey  of 
aded  from 
en,  and  the 
B  of  highly 
ee  of  splen- 

When  the 
;  its  parting 
me  mortals 
;s  of  men, 
ome  spirit, 
i   an  agon- 


izing cry  to  the  spirit  of  Destruction,  which  was  no 
sooner  utterec"  than  darkening,  tempestuous  clouds 
began  to  gathe.  overhead  accompanied  by  rumblings 
in  the  sky  and  in  tne  earth.  The  two  men  slowly 
rose  in  the  air,  keeping  their  arms  uplifted,  and  float- 
ed awav  in  the  direction  of  the  palisades;  the  terrified 
savages  falling  on  their  faces  and  groaning  with  fear. 

To  the  rapi.ily  increasing  rumblinj^   and  gathering 
storm  overhcail,  was  added  fitful  gushes  of  wind,  that 
became  more  frequent  and  fiercer,    until  the    howling 
temprst  swept  all  before  it.      Fierce  lightning  played 
in   the  air  and  crash    after  crash  of  thunder   came  m 
rapid  succession  and  increasing  intensity.     The  sav- 
age chief   looked  up   from  the  front   of  his    stockade, 
then  retreated  trembling  with   terror  inspired    by  the 
war  of  the  elements      Great    waves    rose  and    fell   in 
the  !>ay  and   along  the  rivers  sweeping  the  shores   of 
timber    and   rocks.     The   earth    heaved   and    moved, 
throwing    down    the    remains     of    the    ruins,   and    a 
mighty  roar  underneath  opened  a    fearful   chasm    the 
whole  length   of  the    island,    into   which    rushed    the 
boiling  waters  of  the    bay,  sw,..ping    in    one   mighty 
surge  the  life,    growth,   earth    and    stones    before    it; 
then  retreating,  carried  all  that  a    few   moments   be- 
fore had  beautified  the   surface  of  the   land,   covermg 
the  bay  with  an  ocean  of  timber  and  left  the  island 
a  desolate  waste  of  rocks  and   chasms.     The    monu- 
mental granite  towers  of  the  Brooklyn  Bridge,   erect- 
ed by  the  genius  of  Roebling.  that   loomed  in  solemn 
grandeur  against  the    evening    sky   a    few   moments 
before,  were  gone.     The  granite  pedestal  of  the  mon- 
ster statu;  of  Liberty  enlightening   the  Nations,  tot- 
tered and    fell  with    the  heaving  earth,-  and    Bedloe's 
Island,  on  which  it  stood,  sank  to  rise  no    more. 

Manhattan  Island  presented  a    scene  of   desolation 
that  sadlv  contrasted  the  blocks  of  verdure  intersect- 


■  « 


■ry 


tM 


•'THF.  BRornrR  ' 


eil  with  grasHy  streets.  "  riie  Brother's"  Vault  atone 
remained  together  with  a  small  toinb  that  'tootl  be- 
iiide  it,  on  which  was  the  inscription:  "Sacred  to  the 
memory  of  a  victim  of  social  injustice,  Ooney  Mc(iuire  " 
The  spirit  of  Destruction  sparing  the  work  of  that 
sublime  mortal  who,  in  the  slums,  or,  in  the  •  'alks  of 
science,  had  only  the  good  of  humanity  at  heart  The 
place  that  but  an  hour  before  lot)'.ed  so  fresh  and 
beautiful,  under  the  warm  light  of  the  setting  sun,  the 
charm  heightcnetl  by  the  evening  song  of  myriatls  (H 
birds,  was  a  desert  waste.  The  waters  of  the  bay 
that  danced  so  merrily  with  toucher,  of  golden  light  in 
its  shallows,  was  black,  seething  and  turbulent,  with 
the  scum  of  mud.  leaves  an  J  timber,  covering  it  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  and  the  work  of  destruc- 
tion was  complete.  The  sky  now  broke  a  little  to 
the  west,  revealing  the  two  sublime  founders  of  the 
former  civilization  in  the  air  encircled  by  a  baml  of 
radiant  light;  over  their  heads  the  bright  star  of  Jupi- 
ter shone  clearly  from  a  region  of  pure  calm  and  se- 
rene air.  Its  rays  seemed  to  come  and  go,  as  though 
beckoning  them  to  a  home  free  from  ihe  I  riit  ^^^  of  the 
planet  earth  that  had  always  been  the  abn.le  of  the 
ropacious  life  of  the  solar  system.  The  city  tha<^  had 
witnessed  the  regal  feast  of  the  Lawyers  Club,  th' 
banquet  of  the  successor  of  Wardungton.  the  radiant 
splendors  of  the  Ball  of  the  Century,  the  mighty  spec- 
tacle of  the  Naval,  Military  aud  Civic  parades,  and 
the  glowing  tribute  to  virtue  by  the  millionaire  rot>- 
bers  of  the  people;  the  stones  of  whose  streets  had 
been  pressed  by  Washington  and  Jefferson,  as  well 
as  by  the  aching  bones  of  the  tramp;  that  had  been 
the  cheerless  home  of  the  gamin  and  the  street  girls; 
the  streets  that  had  been  a  gold  mine  for  political 
boodlers  for  half  a  century;  the  streets  that  were  bor- 
dered by  the  saloons,  the  wealthy  gambling  dens,  the 
ten  cent  lodging   houses,  the  offices  of  money  kings, 


^ 


ault  ulone 
"tood  bf- 
ri  (I  to   the 
McCiuiic  " 
rk  of  that 
■alks  of 
leart      I'lic 
fresh    ami 
\\i  suii,  the 
myriads  oi' 
f  the    bay- 
it-n  U^ht  in 
ulcnt,  with 
trinj^  it   as 
\    (lestruc - 
a    little  to 
clers  of  the 
1    band    of 
lar  of  Jiipj- 
m  and  se- 
as thoii^li 
ri(  r^  cf  tile 
>n,le  of  the 
y  tlja»  had 
Cluh.    th- 
ie    ra<liai)t 
:jhty  spec- 
aties,    and 
inaire  roh- 
itreets  had 
n,  as    well 
had  been 
treet  jjirls; 
r    political 
were  bor- 
:  dens,  the 
ney  kings, 


.■^^. 


IHK  HROTIIF.R. 


a»7 


brokers  and  penny  restaurants;  the  slums,  where 
dwelt  the  Chinese,  the  Italian,  the  Jew  and  the  dq- 
gradctl  American:  the  streets  over  which  echoed  the 
chinrtes  of  old  Trinity  as  they  ran^j  out.  "Praise  God 
from  whom  all  blessings  flow;"  the  streets  tramped  by 
mil'  <ns  of  sad,  crus'.ied,  and  hopeless  toilers,  in  de- 
spair at  the  death  of  their  wives  and  little  ones;  the 
street  4  that  had  witnessed  the  toil  and  sacrifice  of  the 
missionary  and  the  reformer,  as  well  as  the  strut  and 
cant  of  the  rcli<,'ious  hypocrite;  the  streets  where  was 
hearil  the  dyin^'  curies  of  the  toilers,  and  the  carnival 
of  deatli  under  the  lawyer  chieftains  and  the  toughs, 
was  now  no  more.  The  earth  rolled  on  in  bpace.  and 
the  metropolis  of  the  American  Republic,  with  the 
teeming  lif^»-'  <»f  ">'"'  that  flourished  around  its  beauti- 
ful bay.  was  obliterated  forever. 

EXPULSION    OF  COMUS — CONCLUSION. 

,  Two  weeks  later  an  important  meeting  was  held  by 
the  (ieneral  and  officers  of  the  City.  The  sudden 
dedth  of  a  number  of  citizens  occasii-ned  this  event. 
Comus  had  been  for  some  time  training  the  young 
people  ibr  a  vr.riety  theatrical  exhibition  representing 
various  classes  of  the  people  of  nineteenth  century 
times.  Under  his  supeiior  management  the  young 
folks  hat!  succeeded  in  rendering  with  wonderful  accu- 
racy both  the  costumes  and  "haraciCiS  of  that  inter- 
esting age;  acquiring  even  the  nvmners  and  speech  of 
merchants,  politicians,  swells  and  loafers.  The  ex- 
hibition naturally  attracted  public  .^.ttention,  and  the 
great  hall  was  filled  in  every  part.  The  play  opened 
with  the  squabble  of  the  ecclesiasts,  who  contended 
furiously  over  their  various  creeds  with  the  spirit  of 
demons,  and  was  followed  by  the  class  who  di.stribut- 
el  the  products  of  the  community,  called  the  merch- 
ants, or,  shop  keepers,  who  lived  off  the  profits  of 
goods.     The  modes  of  adulteration,  misrepresentation 


3 


1i 


288 


"THE  BROTKER." 


and  cheating/together  with  the  ignorance  of  the  buy- 
ers, we.e  so  cleverly  treated  that  the  absurd  system 
caused  violent  laughter  in  the  audience,  as  each  new 
feature  grew  more  and  more  amusing.  F'inally,  young 
and  old  lost  entire  control  of  themselves,  resulting 
not  only  in  the  stoppage  of  tht  play  bi-.t  in  the  death 
of  several  of  the  audience  from  laughing.  This  un- 
looked  for  tragic  ending  of  the  comedy  placed  Comus 
in  a  sad  position  with  the  General  and  officers  whose 
duty  was  t'>  care  for  the  welfare  of  the  people.  Hence 
the  meeting  to  consult  over  the  disaster. 

No  one  regretted  the  affair  more  deeply  than  Comus. 
Fully  realizing  his  position,  he  was  prepared  for  al- 
most any  condemnation.  So,  when  the  orders  cam'? 
that  he  must  leave  the  city  and  country,  it  was  as 
mild  a  punishment  as  he  could  reasonably  expect. 
The  curse  of  his  unfortunate  mimicry  had  fallen  on 
him  again.  With  a  reluctance  he  had  never  felt  be- 
fore in  quitting  either  the  presence  of  gods,  devils,  or^ 
men.  he  departed  without  even  taking  farewell  of  the 
sublime  artist,  Keramicos,  to  go  he  knew  not  whither: 
heaven,  hell  and  earth  had  banished  him;  some  planet 
or  star  must  be  found  for  the  scene  of  new  exploits, 
but  all  iti  the  regret  of  the  moment  was  unconsidered. 

Relieved  bythe  faintlight  of  a  few  clouds  thatwere 
blackening  as  the  waning  moon  receded  farther  be- 
low the  horizon,  the  dark  figure  of  a  man  wrapped  in 
a  long  cloak  was  seen  for  a  moment  as  he  stood  gaz- 
ing towards  the  sky;  the  vision  was  quickly  obliterat- 
ed by  the  deepening  gloom  of  night  that  only  was 
left  to  bid  an  earthly  farewell  to  the  unfortunate 
mimic,  Comus. 


! 


THE   END. 


'IJ 


vtt 


f  the  buy- 
rd  system 
each  new 
ly,  young 

resulting 
the  death 

This  lin- 
ed Comus 
ers  whose 
le.   Hence 

an  Comus. 
ed    for  al- 
ders came 
it    was    as 
y   expect, 
fallen  on 
er  felt  be- 
devils, or. 
veil  of  the 
>t  whither: 
me  planet 
exploits, 
onsidered. 
that  were 
rther    be- 
rapped  in 
tood  gaz- 
obliterat- 
only    was 
iifortunate 


Nineteenth  Century  Advertiiementt. 


THE  LIFE  LINK. 

THE  OLD  JERRY  McAULEY  WATER  STEET 

MISSICN. 
316  Water  St..  under  the  great  Bridge. 
Come   every   night   at  7:30.      Testimonies  of  re- 
deemed men.     Splendid  singing.     Piano   and    organ. 
DRUNKARDS    ESPECIALLY    WELCOMED.         JesuS    says 
you  cannot  be  too  bad  for  him. 

NOTICE— A  free  supper  at  St.  Bartholomew's 
Mission  every  Friday  night;  also  at  Jerry  McAuley's 
Mission  every  Saturday  night. 


FRONTIER    HOUSE, 

Established.    1867.  '  67  James  Street. 

LODGINGS  for  men   only.     Per    night,    loc    and    15c; 

per  week.  60c  and  90c. 

Latest  improvements!  and  best  accommodations! 
OPEN  ALL  NIGP  r—called  at  any  hour.  HOME  COM- 
FORTS TO  WORI   xgmen! 

»®*Our   1 5c.  lodgers   are    entitled  to    one   drink   of 
whiskey  every  morning,   FREE  OF  CHARGE. 


a. 


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ERRATA. 

Pag 

e     5- 

line 

II, 

for 

"wite'  read    with. 

• 

«t 

54. 

14 

6, 

•1 

"even"     "      ever. 

«• 

no, 

«« 

I, 

in  title,  coma  a'ter  "St.  Pauls." 

t< 

122, 

44 

3. 

for 

"  knew  "  read  know , 

*i 

143. 

fct 

21, 

41 

"into"  read  unto. 

it 

147. 

4i 

n, 

41 

"barbarious"  read  barba- 
rians. 

f>i 

149. 

«t 

14. 

44 

"woman"    read  women. 

ti 

150. 

14 

4. 

44 

"although"     read 

altogether. 

'• 

164, 

tl 

2, 

a 

"brightly"  read  briefly. 

1 1 

167, 

4  4 

4. 

It 

"species"  read  spaces. 

It 

167. 

44 

it>, 

44 

"unconscionable"      read 
unconscious. 

*i 

178. 

44 

4. 

II 

"chose"  read  chase. 

a 

186, 

11 

12, 

44 

"from"  read  m. 

<( 

208, 

14 

2, 

II 

"rising"  read  kissing. 

41 

214, 

44 

12, 

41 

"an»"  aim. 

(t 

218, 

•' 

15. 

II 

"morning"  read  moving. 

II 

219, 

t  % 

26. 

44 

"lighted"  read  lifted. 

i« 

247^ 

44 

22, 

£4 

"place"  read  phase. 

n 

261, 

«« 

6, 

4  4 

"America"  read  Ancona. 

II 

270, 

41 

8, 

44 

"on"  read  in. 

«i 

280, 

41 

!0, 

44 

"family"  read  finally. 

ii 

284, 

44 

3«. 

»l 

"shown"   read   shone. 

